A Great Post...

Tim Challies has a great post, over at his blog, on discipline and habits. It's been especially helpful for me as this time of year always causes a reflection on the year that has past and on what needs to be done as we move into a new year and a new chapter.

Check it out here.

Porn...

I think we will all agree that the Church today is totally embarassed and frightened to tackle the issue of porn! The truth is that we can't afford to be! We can't afford to be hiding behind silly excuses or long-standing and unbiblical traditions or using the same old cliches as reasons for not dealing with the issue. Our silence allows the devil to hold his power fully over this issue, allows the power of it to increase in individuals lives as it continues to remain secret, allows for the depression to enter into peoples lives who gennuinely want to get out of the web of addiction but can't do it on their own and can't talk of it because of the taboo nature of it! XXXChurch have been over this week and have brought a bit more attention to the issue, and over the next while I will post more. I hope that now is the time for ALL of us to get involved in seeing the issue tackled, people helped, people restored, people saved, chains broken, families restored, sexual crime fall, reality come back, social integration increase and Jesus glorified as the One who has the power ot make it happen and as the One who has MADE it happen! The nature of pornography is progressive and degenerative (as Ted Bundy admits above), the results of pornography are devastating, and the time to act is now! And we must remember that it affects the person in the pew just as much as the person on the street!

A Gem...

"For the sake of the undiminished fullness of the glory of Christ and for the sake of the radical sacrificial love that the world needs from us, I plead for your allegiance to a robust, biblical, historic vision of Christ whose obedience is counted as ours through faith alone."
-John Piper.

A Gem...

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
- Apostle Paul

A New Graphic...

I was preaching on Sunday night at a youth-type Sunday. I put together a powerpoint for the message and I found this graphic to put in. I like it! I think it starts a job to let your mind and imagination finish. The biblical accounts of the crucifixion, so often, in our own remembrance can be passed over so quickly without considering the implications and pain and punishment of every single bit of what happened to King Jesus. Let's think it all through and praise God that "He made him who knew no sin to become sin for us".

Phil Anderson...

When my original good intention came about to keep up with blogging, one of the things that was going to appear on the site was interviews. Basically, asking questions of people who have a heart for Jesus and are trying to live out their lives for Him where He has placed them, with the gifts that He has given them. Here is interview number 1...as the title suggests it is with Phil Anderson.

-So Phil, to most reading this blog, you will be a new face and name, so tell us a bit about yourself.

Anyone who knows me knows I love football and I love Jesus. Both of these were introduced to me at a young age and both have influenced my lifetyle and how I live my life today.

-What do you do with yourself? Do you work or study or…?

I recently graduated from the University of Ulster Coleraine with a degree in Business and Computing. Now I have entered the ' Real World' and work 5 days a week as the Floor Manager In Cafe Vic-Ryn.

-What would your main interests/hobbies be?

Main interests include football, golf, and most recently PS3 nights with the lads on the recently purchased 42 inch plasma, Fantastic.

-O.K, so I'm not jealous at all or guilty of coveting!! Anyway, from what I can gather football is more than an interest? Is that true? Does it take up more time than a “normal” hobby?

O yes this is true. From I was able to walk ive had a ball attached to my feet. Whether it be on my own in the garden or on the pitch on a saturday I always have a ball nearby and can get endless hours of enjoyment. It takes up more time probably than it should and as a Manchester United supporter I enjoy watching football and also playing pro evo football on the PS3 so I guess yes it is more than a hobby.

-I know that you are a Christian. Tell us a bit about how you came to trust in Jesus and what He’s been teaching you, mainly, since then.

I became a Christian at the young age of 3. Its hard to fully comprehend becoming a Christian at the age of 3 but I feel no matter what age you get saved you will still have an eternity of learning and growing as a Christian as you strive to know more about God. Ive never wandered to far from God and this is due to my upbringing and how my parents faithfully sent me to every meeting at the church for my younger years. I never really had a role as a Christian and found it hard to express my faith with others even in church, untill the age of 19 when I was introduced to Ambassadors In Sport.

-In your Christian life, who would you say has been the greatest influence on you and why?

In my Christian life my Mum and Dad have had a great influence on me. By the way they brought me up and by our family prayers and their reading of bible stories from such a young age constantly teaching me and helping me grow as a Christian. More recently outside of my family Robert Cuthbert founder of Ambassadors Football Club in Ireland has inspired me due to his vision's and his endless work's and effort into seeing people come to Christ through the medium of football.

-For you, there has been a combining and meeting of your love for Jesus and your love for football. How did that come around?

In 2005 I had the opportunity of heading with a team from Northern Ireland to Senegal to play football on a missions tour to Senegal. For me originally I hadnt played football in over a year and this was a perfect holiday to play football. Over the build up to the tour and the tour itself God opened my eyes and touched my heart by showing how effective using football to introduce people to Christ could be. During the tour we played matches where up to 1000 people got to hear the Gospel spoke, each player we played against received their own bible and links to churches were made. We also coached kids football clinics where we gave illustrative Gospel sketches to introduce Jesus to the kids.

-What involvement have you had with Ambassadors since your first introduction? Are you still involved now?

Since that tour I have been back to Senegal and Guinee Bissau on another playing tour where we played a Senegalese Premier League side and a Bissau premier league side where government officials and Football Association Officials have been in attendance sitting beside pastors who built links. Ive coached kids in America last summer with Ambassadors soccer camps where we have spoke to and had bible times with kids who don't come from church backrounds. And Also I cuurently play in the Ambassadors Football Club here in Northern Ireland where we make it our aim to ' do football different' which sets us apart from others in the league even though alot of the time it is very diffcult and challenging to do.

-Did your trips away leave a lasting impression on you? If yes, then how so?

My trips away have giving me such a lasting impression. Ive seen God work in my life in ways id never imagined. My trips have given me a platform to share Christ with others but also given me the confidence to talk openly about Christ and what he has done for me. In Senegal I seen God's hand on us during travelling and for the first time I believe I encountered God being real to me and to the team in how he led us and looked after us throughout both our trips.

-Do you have any plans for continuing to use your love of football as a medium to witness for Jesus?

Ambassadors Football Club has only started and there is endless opportunities and endless ways we can use football as a medium to witness for Christ. In July next year 2008 Ambassadors is heading back out to Senegal and I hope to be a part of that team. Then in August next year I aim to take up the Internship with Ambassadors where I will be living in England for 1 - 2 years working in local communities and schools.

-For those of us who know very little about Ambassadors, or even just the opportunities that exist, in the sporting world, to witness and take a stand for Jesus, how would you guide us to, either, be involved or to pray effectively for the work?

Check out the website www.Ambassadorsfc.co.uk or www.aisint.net for more information. It is a worldwide organisation with offices I think in 15 different countries. Ambassadors have various coaching tours, playing tours and do lots of school work, work with local communities and in some countries have started prison outreach all using football as their entry into places where otherwise it would be impossible to go. There is opportunites for anyone interested but also lots of areas where prayer is much needed.

-In conclusion, if there is one burning message on your heart that you want people to know, what is it?

Simply don't waste your God given gifts. If something as simple as a football can help save so many souls then what else can we do. Even if you think your gift is insignificant use it for God and he will show you how great a God he is.


I met Phil a few months ago when I started to work in Vic-Ryn and know, from brief chats, that his passions are indeed football and wanting to know Jesus more. It's encouraging to read that in avenues where very few of us expect God is doing things, He really is doing things! It's been good Phil for you to break down some of the corners of the boxes we place around God. Let's pray for Phil as he walks with Jesus, and for Ambassadors as they reach out for Jesus.

Apologies...

So, I guess the regular blogging didn't really happen after all. I got off to quite a good start and then it all went downhill from there. Things got quite hectic with the shop opening etc, but now we have been open a week, I hope I can stay a bit more regular. If you haven't been out to visit us at the shop, then please do. We are delighted to see the shop opened, the vision realised, and people using and being blessed through it. God has blessed us so much in the run up to the opening, and now with the customers... so to God be the glory!

I will post more updates from the last while of blogging silence as time goes by!

A Gem!

"The resurrection is the Father's "Amen" to the Son's "It is finished"!" - S Lewis Johnson.

The World of Mac!

Now my Mac is operational again, I feel like I can post this picture! What a loser!

Stand.

The Desiring God National Conference this year was called STAND. All of the audio and video are available online from the Desiring God website (www.desiringgod.org). Tonight, I got round to start listening to the sessions. I didn't begin with the first, but went to listen to the second which was a question and answer session with John Piper and John Macarthur (2 men who have impacted my life greatly!) It was quite a humorous session in general, but there was so much awesome stuff that came out through their answers; their desires that they had been better dads to their kids and husbands to their wives, the influence of their dads on them, the desire to not give up in ministry, how to keep going through tough times etc. One thing sttod out in particular for me though; John Piper giving one of the reasons for the theme of the conference being STAND, the perseverance of the saints, and the answer came through Piper recounting his own experience of going through a season of depression and being downcast that lasted a couple of years:

"I have spent, goodness knows, how much effort developing a theology of suffering. This conference exists to answer that question. I want to last; I want to stand; I want to get through the discouraging times; I want to help you not be fickle, wishy-washy, drop-out, trade your life away, swap wives, leave jobs, trade churches. I just don't want you to be that way, so I make a conference."- Piper.

I enjoyed this thought, and it energised me. One, to know that other people endure discouraging times, which I seem to be enduring at present. And two, that there is an answer in holding on to our theology of God's sovereignty in the midst of evil and trouble, and that He is still on His throne!

New Contact Details.

For anyone who has any suggestions to make about the blog, or has any questions about the stuff that is written here, please feel free to contact me at the e-mail address below.

Also, for anyone who has any questions, or suggestions, about or for "Worship 247", then, likewise, contact me at the addres below.

simon@worhip247.org

Thanks.

A Much Needed Letter!

I love books! I love to sit down with a good book, a good cup of coffee, and read and be taught. I put quite a high value on a good book, especially when it comes to teaching us things about God and the things of God. We have to be so careful because it is so easy for all of us to get things so so wrong, and if we are thinking wrong then we will be living wrong because of it! Everything we read, just like everything we watch and listen to, impacts us for good or for bad. Now all I'm saying here is that we have to take care in choosing what to read and take care when reading it!

Quite a while back I bought a book called "What Love Is This" by Dave Hunt. The content of the book can easily be summed up by the sub-title, "Calvinism's Misrepresentation of God". Now, my purpose in this post is not to argue for or against "Calvinism", it's about the book. Dave Hunt writes from a staunch Anti-Calvinism position, and he does it incredibly badly! The people for whom he speaks, on behalf of, should cringe at how bad the book is written and how poor a job it does in articulating that particular position. The reason why I am writing this post is because, over recent days, it has come up as a book that has helped to shape people's thinking. Now, what I am not doing here is picking at people, or claiming to be the all-knowing one, I just want to sound an alarm that if you want a book to read on this topic, to help explain the positions, then this is not the one- it will mislead all who read it in their understanding of the subject because the simple facts are wrong!

The letter, that the title of this post mentions, is by a man called James White. James White is a well known apologist, who has responded to Dave Hunt's book by an open letter that he sent to the author. I found the letter only today so my thoughts have not been shaped or formed by this man's letter. I do encourage you all to read it though, if you have read Dave Hunt's book or are just interested.

I would recommend James White and Dave Hunt's book "Debating Calvinism". Ultimately though, if you want something to read on the subject, I say read the Bible- go to Romans or Ephesians to begin! I'm not here to sway your views, just to warn you about the errors in the book and, if you do read it, take care!

The letter is here.

Coffee anyone?

The City Hospital currently have one on order for me, haha! I wish!!

Steve who...?

To most people, the name Steve Lawson means very little. If we were to ask those of our friends who read alot and listen to alot of sermons, even to them, he is relatively unheard of. I want to publicly say that this is an absolute shame! I have been greatly blessed by the ministry of Steve Lawson. He is one of the most active voices heralding for a return to expository preaching in our pulpits today. Expository wha?- a clear presentation and proclamation of God's Truth, letting the Bible speak for itself! But, not only is he active in heralding for this return, he is also active in this ministry himself. He reads the Word, then explains the Word. He is a man who is absolutely convinced of the authority and power of God's Word, and a man who is set on fire by it! Absolutely awesome stuff!

Why the post? His website has been overhauled and is now online again. This is good news because there are loads of free sermons and articles for us to benefit from. Let me be clear, my promotion of this man is not my Corinthian way of saying ""I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ."" (1 Cor 1v12), it is me saying that God has revealed Himself to this man and he has one heck of a burden to proclaim Him. The messages will truly be of benefit, not just because it's Steve Lawson, but solely because he unashamedly preaches the truth and the messages are God-glorifying and Christ-centred, leading us again to where we need to be, at the cross! Enjoy New Reformation Ministries!

A New Effort...

Well... this blog has existed for some time. I have been so inconsistent with updates due to laziness, lack of discipline and lack of things to say. However, over the last while, I have been enjoying looking through quite a few different blogs and websites, and being taught and refreshed by the things that I have read. So, I thought why not use this blog in an attempt to gather together all of those things for other people to see, and also to introduce some new people to all 4 of you through interviews.

So, from now on, this will be a new sustained effort to accomplish just that. Over the next few days, the page will be updated with all the good links that you will need and the posts beginning to be added.

This venture is not my way of telling the world that I have it all together and that I am the fount of all knowledge. It is my way of saying I have so much to learn, and that God is using so many different sites and teachers to show me,

1. how much I really do still need to learn
2. how great He really is
3. that we should tell of His greatness and His glory and His truth to others so that we can all rejoice in the great and true and gracious God that we have.

So make yourself at home. Please add your comments and discuss what is being put up! Enjoy the journey of learning! If you have any suggestions for interviews or improvements, then please e-mail them to me and I will consider them all! Thanks, and don't be strangers.

We Have To Feel It!

I was on Youtube tonight looking for the song "By His Wounds" from an album called "Glory Revealed". I came across this video instead. Someone has taken the song and put it to a clip from the film "The Passion of the Christ". I know that there are many problems held in regard to this film, and a number of them I understand and agree with fully. There are also a number of people that have a problem, in general, with there being any cinematic or artistic portrayl of Jesus, and again I see where they are coming from in one sense. However, in this clip, there is a bit of nonsense feartured, although very briefly, so do guard your minds! However, as an illustration, and illustration only, please read on.

The one thing that stands out for me, with this clip, is that we are seeing, to a large extent, what is being sung (the Scripture of Isaiah 53). Now, I don't believe that we need this film to add anything to what the Bible says, or that without the film or the clip our understanding would be deficient as the Bible says it plainly and clearly enough. What I think we all do, however, is block out the true physical and spiritual realities of what Jesus went through, i.e, He was torn apart when whipped and beaten and crucified and that when Jesus went to that cross the wrath of God was poured out in an incomprehensible way, in that "the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him" (Isa 53v5). We, I, talk of being saved and yet in my heart, far too often, there is a lack of horror that my sin would cause the holy Son of God to be punished in my place ("For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."-2 Cor 5v21) and that He did it all willingly ("he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross"-Phil 2v8; "For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord."-John 10v17-18). And because He did all of this, and willingly, that horror should be sweetened by gratefulness and joy, that because of what Jesus has done for me, I can say those words of Isaiah 53, but it should always be with heartfelt thanks for Jesus' sacrifice and not just words that we repeat in a similiar fashion that we carry out normal coversations about the weather or fulfill menial tasks-it should hit us! We should feel this truth in the depths of our hearts! It should cause us to weep, and to be filled with joy, that bitter-sweet reality that, in spite of the wretched state of our own hearts, in our natural state, that we are accepted in the beloved, adopted into God's family, declared righteous in our justification, redeemed, made right with Almighty God and only because of King Jesus.
Again, I don't think we need this clip to show us this. But, for those of us who are expert runners when it comes to pondering the sacrifice of Jesus, it is something that is right before us that will, hopefully, cause us to think about what the Bible says. As a graphic illustration, and illustration only, it may cause us to return to the Bible, to read the truth, and force us then to drop on our knees before Jesus, in awe of the great Saviour that He is! "By his wounds we are healed"! Praise God!

A Sad Report...

WARNING:LONG POST!!!

27"And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment," (Heb 9v27)

This verse from Hebrews 9 has been a dominant and recurring thought in my mind over the last couple of weeks. There are quite a few solid theological reminders contained in this 1 verse. None of us are prone to joy when thinking about death, which is probably a big reason for why we never think about it. That issue should be left for another post as it will cause too much of a digression into why our joy seems to fade when thinking about death and its consequences, being with Jesus! What does this text show us?

1. Death is an appointment: In many of our times of distress, thoughtlessness or ignorance of Truth we have a tendency to fear circumstances, incidents or illnesses. Our thinking goes along the lines of, "these things could kill me, they could take my life". In one sense that is true, but they are means only and not the cause. The Psalmist put it this way-

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them." (139v16)

And in the book of Job we read- "And he said, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.""(1v21).

The Bible stresses again and again that God is sovereign, and totally sovereign at that. He reigns over our coming and our going, our life and our death, our waking and our sleeping. We have not and do not determine the time and date of this appointment, God has determined it.

"'In him we live and move and have our being'" (Acts 17v28). All this is quite hard to accept and get our heads around, hence the need for us to not be "conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Rom 12v2). O pray that we may be! Seek that renewal so we can trust in His sovereignty!

2. We are sinners: Where do I get that from? From the very fact that we die! Romans 5v12 says-

"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned"

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3v23)

The Bible is clear- we die because we sin!

God appointed the curse of death as a punishment for sin! Now to clarify, I'm not saying that the death of those who die of illnesses or horrible circumstances is a direct consequence for a particular sin but it is a consequence of sin generally and us all being guilty of it.

3. We die once: Two things here; one is that there is no such thing as reincarnation. It is a false idea, an absolutely unbiblical notion. And secondly, there are no second chances. This text says we die and then we are judged. No time to be coming back to do it all again, or making any other sort of restitution!

4. God is just: God is always true to His character and praise Him for that! However, that causes problems for us who are sinners because the attribute that defines all of God's other attributes is His holiness-

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" (Isaiah 6v3). What other attribute of God's is raised to the level of being repeated three times? In the time and culture in which Isaiah wrote, there were no Stabilo highlighters so the way to draw attention and to make your point was by repetion. Isaiah, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, definitely made his point, GOD IS HOLY!

"You who are of purer eyes than to see evil
and cannot look at wrong" (Hab 1v13).

So God judges because He is holy and He cannot look at sin. He cannot fellowsip with us in our sin so judgement has to come! A punishment, just punishment, for our wrongdoing and sin!

5. All this highlights something extraordinary and overwhelming! Not from this verse but the next-

"so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."

Jesus was offered up once (to death, to punishment, to judgement), to bear sin ("of many"-not His own and not all), so that when He comes again He will save! What a message, what a truth!

That "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God [in Him]" (2 Cor 5v21)

"But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all." (Isa 53v5-6)

Jesus paid it all! He has removed our filthy rags and dressed us in His righteousness, and all because He died, and He was raised and has finished the work of salvation ("After making purification for sins He sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high"-Heb 1v3), and He has shown us grace-

"8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Eph 2v8-9)

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 Jn 1v9). Praise God for salvation!

Where has it all come from?

The picture is of a young Adrian Lyttle involved in some redecorating at Orangefield Presbyterian Church. Adrian and I went to and grew up through B.B there together. Since I left the B.B and Orangefield, Adrian and I had no contact. However, a while back, another guy from that B.B told me that Adrian was sick. While away on holiday, a couple of weeks ago, I got word that Adrian had died, at roughly the same age as myself (23). The reason why this verse has been a dominant and recurring thought is because at times like this, things can seem to not make any sense and to be messed up. But then we remember, God is in control, we sin, we die, we face judgement, but then the clinker, we hang on to the hope that on the other side of death, for those who know Jesus, is eternal life and rest and joy in His presence! Adrian knew Jesus and is, at present, consumed in awe! He's more alive now than ever, with the Lamb!
Thank God for the gospel and the assurance of eternity with Jesus because of it, because of His substitutionary death and for His being raised which is proof for our justification:

"That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." 23But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, 24but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Rom 4v22-25)

"Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"
56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 15v54-57).

Although we may affirm the truth of the joy following death for the believer, there is a gap left and pain remaining in the life of Adrian's family. It does sting for them, it will hurt badly! This is a prominent stress and tension that exists due to living in the already but not yet period. If you are moved to, please pray for them (his family) and thank Jesus for saving Adrian and giving Him such a life now, even in spite of the horrible period preceeding his entry into the presence of Jesus.

What does Paul go on to say in verse 58 of 1 Corinthians 15? "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." Hold on, press on!

Leadership...?

While reading through a few blogs, that are linked to Gary's blog, I came across a very helpful post on Gemma Roche's blog. Gemma quoted from a book that she has been reading through called "Doing Things Right In Matters Of The Heart" and added to that quote her own personal commentary, which I encourage all of you to check out as the honesty and genuineness of it has resonated with my own heart. Here's the quote from "Doing Things Right In Matters Of The Heart":

In matters of the heart, it is right that men should lead and women welcome and guide that leadership. She is helpmate (gen2v18). Her goal is to give her man all the help he needs to lead well. His goal is to humbly accept the responsibility and not run from it or wield it like a club.
The guidance that she provides him comes mainly in two forms: in helping him think clearly and encouraging him to act confidently. What comes from this is a shared victory. If it proves a mistake, it is borne together. Either way, what is fostered is true unity of spirit which is the heart of the matter, where the two become one. We have to work at it, but if we do, true unity is fostered and preserved in the complementary exchange of male leadership and female guidance.

Since Kerry and I got engaged, many thoughts and fears of inadequacy and failure on my part have flooded in at times. The fear of failure I mean is the failure to lead well, to live in the model that Christ Himself has displayed for us in His relationship with the church. At times in my own ignorance, and with my lack of understanding, I see the job of leading in a way that is not practical, never mind having to question its biblical roots. Thtat's why this quote is so helpful, and Gemma recounting her own experiences in a different relationship and different position in this "leadership struggle"-it shows the struggle is universal.
We know that what God has told us to do, in all areas and aspects of life and practice, are primarily for His glory but also for our good and benefit. So, when we obey the teaching given on the roles of husband and wife in marriage, Christ is glorified and exalted and seen clearly in the relationship and also the couple live in peace and unity and with a greater and deeper love resulting because we are living according to God's precept for marriage.
Obviously, we would hope, there would be few believers who get married for the sake of it, but because of the love for our future wives/husbands or, as the case is for alot of you, our husbands or wives. For this reason then, and for the glory of the Lord, we need to strive to live in this way. And the above quote helps shape it I think. It is a JOINT effort! The man leads and his wife helps him to see things that he may not already see and to clarify his thoughts and then encourages him to act confidently. Awesome! It's not the rule of the dictator but of the man who loves his wife so intently that he must do what is right firstly, before God, but secondly for his wife's good and pleasure. Obviously, i love Kerry a heck of alot and for that reason want to be a good man, a good husband, a good leader so that she feels safe, loved, respected, honoured and cared for. So, will you pray for me to this end? And if you want this same thought and prayer reciprocated, please leave a comment and I will be sure to remember you as we all strive to live and to love in the way that Christ has shown and commanded.

A Wonderful Discovery...

For many of you, the 4 people who read the blog (yes it has increased by 1), this may not be a new revelation but please be excited with me anyway. While on a break today I was flicking through the Josh Harris website and discovered that Sovereign Grace Ministries have now made all sermon audio downloads free! That is right... FREE!! Messages by the legendary C.J Mahaney, Joshua Harris, Wayne Grudem and the list goes on! So please do avail yourself of this incredible blessing! O may we be instructed and edified through these messages and Jesus be glorified in the lives of us through the change and transformation effected. Soli Deo Gloria.

It's OFFICIAL!!

As I am sure you, the three people who read this blog, have already heard... Kerry and I got engaged. On Thursday past (the 12th July) at Crawfordsburn Country Park, I got down on the one knee and asked Kerry would she do me the greatest honour and give me the greatest privilige and pleasure in consenting to be my wife... and she said yes. Any of you who know Kerry will know how blessed and fortunate I am for her to say yes!! We are making arrangements at the minute and although no date has been set we are hoping for the end of August/ start of September 2008. I think I speak for both of us when I say that we are busting for it to come around and that we would value your prayers as we make the plans, and prepare ourselves to live as husband and wife in the model shown to us in the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church.
On this note, I would like to thank any of you reading this who have made a point of making Kerry and I a point of prayer. We have valued it greatly, and may it continue into this new stage of our relationship together.

Congratulations!

Kerry has graduated! The graduation ceremony was to be on Wednesday 4th July, but as that clashed with Kitchy's (Kerry's brother) wedding, Kerry was unable to attend. So, to mark the occassion, Kerry's proud parents (in the picture) held a "fake graduation" to celebrate her success!
Kerry is probably the most diligent, determined, studious person I know. Kerry Kitchen doesn't believe in doing things with anything less than 100 per cent of effort and application. Kerry's university success, of graduating with a high 2:1 degree, is not based on three years of work in Queens University, but has been the culmination of years of diligent study and application in the area of academics.
So, congratulations Kerry! Let's be sure that we pray that God would guide Kerry very clearly as she navigates her way through this next stage of life! I'm very very proud of you Kerrs!

The Happy Couple!

I saw Kitchy today! They are back from their honeymoon and David is heading back into work today. He was still wearing a big smile, and very happy to be married! Let's be sure, that as the wedding has passed, that we continue to pray for David and Victoria. That they will continue to grow spiritually, both individually and collectively; that they will grow in love for one another and that the fires of romance will burn stronger as the days and years pass! They are well suited, and the wedding day was such a joy, now on to the marriage! God bless you both, Kitchy and Victoria!!

New Beginnings...

As from the 31st of July, I will no longer be an employee of the Faith Mission bookshop. My employment is moving closer to my new home here in Lisburn. As of the 1st of August, I become an employee of the House of Vic Ryn, which can be found in Lissue Industrial Estate on the Moira Road. Let me explin why this is such a big deal for many people.

The House of Vic Ryn is a very unique business centre. The website makes it clear that they do not exist to simply provide a service, or simply to make money for the sake of making money, but they are a business with an incredible, God centred and God glorifying vision. Yes, The House of Vic Ryn exists to provide a service, to run business in a proper way but the passion and vision that fuels everything that they do is a deep-seated desire to give help to those who have committed their lives to helping others, and to see the gospel spread and people won to the Lord.

The big deal about me having a new job is not that I have got a new job, although that is big to me. The big deal is what the job means and provides. The next stage of the Vic Ryn vision is the opening of a Christian bookshop in their centre. It is an incredibly exciting veture for two reasons:

1. The service that will be provided

2. The place it will have in the larger Vic Ryn vision.


The Service:
Most of us will agree that the vision of a bible-based ministry is to see people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and for people to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and all to the glory of God. The new bookshop holds this as a major facet of its vision in its immediate context. The location of the bookshop opens it up to reaching people that a normal Christian bookshop can't. Being in the middle of a soon to be retail centre, with already existing businesses in place, the possibility of attracting the passing, non-Christian market gives the exciting prospect of getting good, sound and solid Christian literature, and mainly/especially the Word of God, into peoples hands with the earnest hope and prayer that with the reading of the material, God would move in peoples lives, giving them eyes to see and savour the beauty of Christ and for them to shun sin and hell and cling to Jesus for everything. I think you will agree, a mighty opportunity.
Secondly, to see people grow in their knowledge of Jesus and to be built up in their most holy faith. We get a glimpse of the heart of Jesus when He prays in John 17. We are very priviliged to get an opportunity to hear of such a conversation between the Christ and His Father. We catch a glimpse of the things that are most important to Jesus in those moments, and some of those things that concern us. I am specifically referring to Jesus' request in verse 17 of the chapter when Jesus prays "Sanctify them[b] in the truth; your word is truth."
Clearly, the desire of Jesus is that we become more like Him. We are also told that the way in which that takes place is by "the truth", the Word of God. So, the Word of God is of vital and primary importance. The bookshop will exist to get the Word of God into people's hands, and books that explain the Word and stay true and faithful to it. Many shops have no problem in selling overtly heretical books, this shop will strive to stock only those books that stay frimly true to the fundamental tenets of Christianity. Part of the service of the shop will be to cater for the needs of varying denominational beliefs etc, but there will be NO compromise on those beliefs that are fundamental to Christianity or those things that are just plain wrong!

The Larger Vic Ryn Vision:
Basically, whatever you buy in this shop, the profit will also be a part in accomplishing the larger Vic Ryn vision which is to give help and support to missionary and charitable causes. When you shop with us, you won't be making me rich, or making the directors of the firm rich, but will be helping to fund incredible causes and be a part of the gospel being spread across the world. I think this is an incredible vision that enables us who buy items from the shop, or any of the other businesses, be a part of a global mission and all we do is simply buy the same things but just from a different shop! I will post again soon and let you know what the money so far is accomplishing. It will blow your mind!


Your Part:
Come and use us when we open! There is already a cafe, furniture showroom, bathroom showroom and plumbing merchants that you can use, and the money goes to the same use. In terms of the bookshop, benefit from the resources and materials in the shop, knowing that, not only do you benefit, but many people will benefit from your purchase. The proposed opening date is October 1st, I will keep you up to date.

Amazing!!

Found this video while blog surfing! You won't believe it!!

Piper On The Prosperity Gospel

This clip was posted on the Desiring God Blog and I highly reccomend all to listen. I have been convinced more and more lately that our passion and determination to fight for the purity and clarity of the gospel of Christ needs to be increasing and burning stronger but is rather in a state of waning as we compromise truth and lay it on the altar as a sacrifice for the sake of so called popularity and relevance! It's not exactly a great insight or discovery on my part, but the clear declaration of Scripture that there is one truth and it is to be defended and declared with hearts full of burning zeal, with no compromise!

3Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude v3-4)

6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Gal 1v 6-9)

We are not in the first time in history in which error has enetered into the church! However we do seem to be in a time where the church, generally speaking, is losing its determination and passion to contend and fight firmly for the truth for the glory of Christ, as many people seem to be happily swallowed up in man-centred thinking or easily deceived by the smooth talking promises of many of todays prominent and popular teachers. We have no choice but must fight for the glory of Christ, for in the gospel He is seen as the founder and perfecter of our faith and as the all-sufficient and all-satisfying treasure and gift of the gospel! Let's develop this passionate love for the truth and "hatred" for error!

A Long Time In Coming...

Well, I wish I could say that my return to the blogsphere is an occasion for joy and adulation but it is not the case. A while ago, our dear brother Gary posted about Piper's article on abortion. I think many will agree that it was an article that proved heart rending for many of us as we read of a particular procedure that had been carried out. Tonight I was working my way through the archives of Justin Taylor's blog and found the following video. I watched it, along with two dear brothers, and we all were given much to contemplate and hopefully much to fight for! Watch it! Then pray! I think another post on the topic will probably come, but not now. Not after the video. The reality is devastating!

Currently...

In the last couple of days I have started to read "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Church in Chicago. I know that a lot of people hold a lot of views about the man that would not be favourable. If I am being honest, I too probably would have been skeptical. (And probably based on fear, speculation, and hearsay). Now, I am not saying I am his biggest fan, or that the whole book is amazing (because I haven't finished yet), but what I am saying is that already he has provided a lot of food for thought.

In chapter 1 of the book, he paints an incredible picture of what the church should be and should look like if it was functioning correctly, as church was done in the book of Acts. There is one quote I would like to leave with you, and, for me, if this is all that is in the book it has been more than worth it. Get your minds working on this one...

"People supernaturally gifted to lead must yield themselves fully to God. They must cast powerful, biblical, God-honouring visions. They must build effective, loving, clearly focused teams. They must fire up Christ followers to give their absolute best for God. And they must insist with pit bull determination that the gospel be preached, the lost be found, the believers be equipped, the poor be served, the lonely be enfolded into community, and God gets the credit for all".

Let's think over that one and see how we are measuring up!!

Sorry... who?!

So... does anyone recognise the guy in the picture? Any takers... no? To be honest, I would not have known either until tonight. Tonight was the 50th Anniversary Celebration Service for the Campaigners movement in Northern Ireland. Campaigners is a uniformed youth organisation that had its beginnings in 1922 in the mainland UK and in 1957 it was introduced to Northern Ireland by Mr J. B McClelland (the man in the picture) as the first boy Campaigner clan.

To be honest I went tonight, basically, because I was asked. I had no idea of what was going to happen or of what to expect. This year is only my 2nd year of being involved with Campaigners so I knew very little of the history and had little to none (basically none!!) of a sentimental or an emotional attachment to it or memories of it in my own childhood. However, I think tonight may have changed that and the man in the picture has a big part to play in it for 2 reasons:

1. Vision
2. Humility and God-Centredness

VISION...

This man saw a need and had a passion to see it filled! A member of the Ulster Temple, Mr McClelland realised that young people that were attending his church for other youth events and clubs were going to other churches for the uniformed organisations and eventually staying there. That, and I'm sure other reasons, spurred him to seek a solution of beginning a uniformed organisation. In his search, Mr McClelland became impressed with the Campaigner movement because of its firmly evangelical foundation and its goal: "The Campaigner Movement is neither military nor political. It seeks by means of its various activities to develop a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and to bear witness to the need for Christian thoroughness in all the relationships of life; thus the Motto 'UNTO HIM' and the Password 'THROUGH AND THROUGH'" (from http://www.untohim.co.uk/history.htm). So... Campaigners in NI was underway in 1957.

Mr McClelland, however, did not stop there and rest when a Clan was established in his own church. Other churches saw a need in their own situation and became interested in Campaigners and as a result of that interest Campaigners began to spread. Mr McClelland continued to pioneer the work of Campaigners here and in 30 years introduced it to around 60 different churches...and the work still continues today.

I wonder if we could even begin to imagine the amount of young people whose lives have been radically transformed because this man saw a need, had a vision, trusted God and went after it?! Campaigners is not confined to the history books of Nothern Ireland's day of the "has-been", it is alive and kicking today, albeit in a different approach but with the same goal- to see young people won to the Lord.

HUMILITY AND GOD-CENTREDNESS

Listen to this!! Mr McClelland was at the service tonight and the new Regional director (Chief) made a presentation and awarded him with a certificate to mark his faithful service to the Movement. This man rose to accept his certificate and was met with ground-shaking clapping and a standing ovation (was actually quite moving!) He then got the microphone...now listen, here's the clincher...! Through tears, he said "Do not give me the glory! Give Him the glory! It's because of Him... To God be the glory great things He hath done" and he then proceeded to offer thanks to those who helped and gave themselves in doing what he called "his part" which was "simply doing what [he] felt the Lord would have [him] to do". In this man's mind it was all because of Jesus, and he is right but I was overwhelmed with the man's sense of humility as he genuinely acknowledged that it was of the Lord, from the Lord and for the Lord. He has left an impression...

WHAT IS THAT IMPRESSION?

Start to dream... seek the Lord for vision... when seeing a need consider what the Lord might have for us to do... be God-besotted, Christ-centred, God-honouring, Christ-exalting people...commit ourelves to working with young people and having a vision for their lives, a burden to see them saved and a perseverance that will never let go of them!! Quite a few thoughts I'm left to ponder. What about you?

Can we have a drum roll please...

So, it has been quite a long time since a post has been added to the site. I don't know what has got me thinking about posting again, but I have. However, I have to admit to a bit of confusion over the blogs: what are they for? I know they are for posting anything you want, but about what actually? The ones I read are mainly thoughts on the Word or current happenings or changes etc, but they are written by popular, respected men who have the influence to have such a following and interest in their writing! I think there is definitely a benefit in the Blogworld for us commoners and I think we should maximise that! Now in my mind this is actually quite a practical thing and not just stupid questions, let me explain:

1. I have seen certain blogs in which individuals give us every miniscule detail of their days, sparing only the information as to whether they scrunched or folded the paper on their 2nd poo-dropping session that lasted 20mins in which they listened to 5 songs and solved the problems of the universe. Works for them but bores me!

2. I have seen other certain blogs that consist of so much(eqivalent of Calvin's Institutes per blog), and so frequent (5 times a day), profound spiritual material (often high-brow, ivory tower type stuff) that the writers are either a combination of the Apostle Paul, Augustine, Calvin, Luther and Piper rolled into one body, or there are certain people guilty of astronomical levels of plagiarism! Works for some but scares me!

3. The other option is that I am in fits of jealousy because I can't solve the world's problems on the toilet, am embarrassed to disclose my paper-handling techniques, and do not have anything of any benefit or encouragement or purpose to add on spiritual matters-at times maybe a credible option.

WHAT'S MY POINT?

In trying to figure out what is appropriate to share etc, which is a big deal because otherwise I won't write, a friend's words came to me again. Gary Boal, whose blog is linked here, originally sent out an e-mail asking people to jump on the Blog bandwagon, but he did so with a purpose. If I can remember rightly it was to have a presence for Jesus on the net, and to be of encouragement to one another, and in ways to establish an online community to enable more frequent contact and involvement in other people's lives. (Correct me if I'm wrong Gary!) That has helped clarify, for me, what I should do. I should write about Jesus and His great worth and immeasurable glory so His name may be seen and known on Blogworld; encourage the fellow blogging saints, either directly, or through what God is teaching and showing me in various ways, or what God is doing in me and with me; and then give details of everyday life so people who read can keep in contact and up-to-date with me and to enable us to share all of or lives with one another!

RANDOM?

To most, this blog will be stupid but to me it was a source of stress! Mainly because I do not want to waste precious time writng something that is of no benefit at all and of course I got worried that people might have to be tolde my toilet manner!! Listen, that is a private thing!

P.S

The blogs spoken of above do not belong to any friend or person with whom I currently have a connection! This is my disclaimer, I'm not dropping hints!!!