Thursday, September 30, 2004
Living by Prayer
O God of the open ear,
Teach me to live by prayer as well as by providence, for myself, soul, body, children, family, church;
Give me a heart frameable to thy will; so might I live in prayer, and honour thee, being kept from evil, known and unknown.
Help me to see the sin that accompanies all I do, and the good I can distil from everything.
Let me know that the work of prayer is to bring my will to thine, and that without this it is folly to pray;
When I try to bring thy will to mine it is to command Christ, to be above him, and wiser than he: this is my sin and pride.
I can only succeed when I pray according to thy precept and promise, and to be done with as it pleases thee, according to thy sovereign will.
When thou commandest me to pray for pardon, peace, brokenness, it is because thou wilt give me the thing promised, for thy glory, as well as for my good.
Help me not only to desire small things but with holy boldness to desire great things for thy people, for myself,that they and I might live to show thy glory.
Teach me that it is wisdom for me to pray for all I have, out of love, willingly, not of necessity; that I may come to thee at any time, to lay open my needs acceptably to thee; that my great sin lies in my not keeping the savour of thy ways; that the remembrance of this truth is one way to the sense of thy presence; that there is no wrath like the wrath of being governed by my own lusts for my own ends.
(1) comments
Teach me to live by prayer as well as by providence, for myself, soul, body, children, family, church;
Give me a heart frameable to thy will; so might I live in prayer, and honour thee, being kept from evil, known and unknown.
Help me to see the sin that accompanies all I do, and the good I can distil from everything.
Let me know that the work of prayer is to bring my will to thine, and that without this it is folly to pray;
When I try to bring thy will to mine it is to command Christ, to be above him, and wiser than he: this is my sin and pride.
I can only succeed when I pray according to thy precept and promise, and to be done with as it pleases thee, according to thy sovereign will.
When thou commandest me to pray for pardon, peace, brokenness, it is because thou wilt give me the thing promised, for thy glory, as well as for my good.
Help me not only to desire small things but with holy boldness to desire great things for thy people, for myself,that they and I might live to show thy glory.
Teach me that it is wisdom for me to pray for all I have, out of love, willingly, not of necessity; that I may come to thee at any time, to lay open my needs acceptably to thee; that my great sin lies in my not keeping the savour of thy ways; that the remembrance of this truth is one way to the sense of thy presence; that there is no wrath like the wrath of being governed by my own lusts for my own ends.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Why Read Books... (from Banner of Truth)
Peter Barnes (Revesby Presbyterian Church, Australia)
As Timothy prepared to leave Ephesus in order to meet Paul in prison at Rome, the great apostle asked him to bring the cloak that he had left in Troas and also the books, especially (or perhaps "that is") the parchments (2 Tim.4:13). Almost fifteen hundred years later, William Tyndale was in prison in Holland. He asked for a cloak, a woollen shirt, a warm cap, and his Hebrew Bible, grammar, and vocabulary book. Both the apostle and the Bible translator had physical needs, i.e. to be protected from the cold, and intellectual and spiritual needs i.e. to grow in understanding. Both saw the need for Christians to read. Indeed, the apostle Paul knew the pagan Greek poets, and cites Epimenides and Aratus in Acts 17:28, Epimenides again in Titus 1:12, and Menander in I Corinthians 15:33. As Origen and Augustine were to put it, Christians could plunder the Egyptians (Ex. 1 2:36), meaning that they were to make use of pagan works in the cause of Christ. Later still, in the eighteenth century, John Wesley was to say that reading Christians are growing Christians.
Conversion of Baxter
There are dangers everywhere in the Christian life and we need to be aware that God has issued us a warning that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (l Cor.8:1). Nevertheless, the Christian ought to be keen to read and grow. Books have maintained a chain of godly influence down through the ages, as John Macleod has shown in Some Favourite Books, published by the Banner of Truth Trust in 1988. In 1630 the Puritan Richard Sibbes wrote his classic work, The Bruised Reed. In the same year, a pedlar came to the door of the Baxter family, and made a sale. The result was that, at the tender age of fifteen, young Richard Baxter read Sibbes' work, and it had a profound effect on him. Baxter himself never went to university, but he read widely. Indeed, such a practice can become something of a snare. Baxter once wrote: "I must confess it is much more pleasing to myself to be retired from the world and to have very little to do with men and to converse with God and conscience and good books".
Conversion of Doddridge and Wilberforce
In 1657 Baxter published his Call to the Unconverted, which has been used by God to awaken many. One of those many was Philip Doddridge, who is perhaps best known to us as a hymn writer. In 1745 he wrote The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. This was a work which in turn greatly helped a young Member of Parliament, William Wilberforce. Like many men of his age, Wilberforce had made the trip to the continent for his education. He accompanied Isaac Milner, the evangelical tutor from Queen's College, Cambridge, and on the return journey read Philip Doddridge's aforementioned Rise and Progress, and the Bible. What he called the "shapeless idleness" of his past struck him, and in 1785 he reluctantly went to visit John Newton, who gave him wise counsel. By 1787 Wilberforce was writing as a decided evangelical Christian: "God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners (it should be pointed out that "manners" then meant "morals").
Wilberforce wrote: "The fatal habit of considering Christian morals as distinct from Christian doctrines insensibly gained strength. Thus the peculiar doctrines of Christianity went more and more out of sight, and as might naturally have been expected, the moral system itself also began to wither and decay, being robbed of that which should have supplied it with life and nutriment". In 1797, in the days before snappy titles came into vogue, Wilberforce penned his A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in This County Contrasted with Real Christianity. It was an instant success, although Samuel Taylor Coleridge asked whether Wilberforce cared for the slaves or only for his own soul.
Wilberforce asserted: "It seems in our days to be the commonly received opinion, that provided a man admit in general terms the truth of Christianity, though he neither know of nor consider much concerning the particulars of the system; and if he be not habitually guilty of any of the grosser vices against his fellow-creatures, we have no great reason to be dissatisfied with him, or to question the validity of his claim to the name and privileges of a Christian". He came to see the difference between one who was born again of the Spirit of God and one who was vaguely influenced by Christian tenets.
Conversion of Chalmers
About the year 1811 Thomas Chalmers, a Moderate clergyman of the Church of Scotland, was converted to the evangelical faith. God had used a number of events in his life to drive Chalmers to justification by faith in Christ alone. Chalmers had come to know Rev Andrew Thomson, the Evangelical minister of St George's, Edinburgh from 1814 to 1831; he went through a broken engagement; and had suffered the deaths, by consumption (tuberculosis), of a brother in 1806 and two sisters, in 1808 and 1810. In fact, he himself had been bed-ridden with consumption, and, while recuperating, had read Blaise Pascal's Pensees, and then William Wilberforce's A Practical View. He testified: "I am now most thoroughly of the opinion .. that on the system of Do this and live no peace ... can ever be attained. It is, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved".
Too much TV
Thus it was that this evangelical chain stretched from Sibbes to Chalmers, from the seventeenth century to the nineteenth century. Today, the links might have fallen out due to too many evenings in front of the television. If modern Christian book catalogues are an indication of the state of the Church, we are in deep trouble. Knickknacks, gimmicks, music, videos and CDs receive most of the publicity. And that a book like The Prayer of Jabez could top the best-seller list is cause for a lament not far removed from that of Elijah in I Kings 19.
It must be granted that bookishness is not godliness: "Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh" (Eccl. 12:12). Reading needs to go hand-in-hand with living. It is easy enough to become yet another learned idiot. There are dangers in being light-headed; dangers in emphasising only the intellect and not the emotions and the will; and dangers in being led astray by books that teach error.
Yet for all that, Christians are those whose minds have been renewed (Rom.12:1-2). Hence there are injunctions such as we find in the book of Proverbs: "Wise men lay up knowledge" (Prov.l0:14). Part of being a Christian is to love God with all our being, including our minds (Mt.22:37), and to destroy arguments and take every thought captive unto obedience to Christ (2 Cor.10:4-5). Our love is to abound with knowledge and all discernment (Phil.1:9-11). In debate, Jesus would often say: "Have ye not read...?" (Mt.12:5) Too often these days, the answer is: "No, I have not". That is not to our credit nor to our benefit. John Flavel surely was right when he declared that "Unless we have a knowing people, we are not likely to have a gracious people".
(0) comments
As Timothy prepared to leave Ephesus in order to meet Paul in prison at Rome, the great apostle asked him to bring the cloak that he had left in Troas and also the books, especially (or perhaps "that is") the parchments (2 Tim.4:13). Almost fifteen hundred years later, William Tyndale was in prison in Holland. He asked for a cloak, a woollen shirt, a warm cap, and his Hebrew Bible, grammar, and vocabulary book. Both the apostle and the Bible translator had physical needs, i.e. to be protected from the cold, and intellectual and spiritual needs i.e. to grow in understanding. Both saw the need for Christians to read. Indeed, the apostle Paul knew the pagan Greek poets, and cites Epimenides and Aratus in Acts 17:28, Epimenides again in Titus 1:12, and Menander in I Corinthians 15:33. As Origen and Augustine were to put it, Christians could plunder the Egyptians (Ex. 1 2:36), meaning that they were to make use of pagan works in the cause of Christ. Later still, in the eighteenth century, John Wesley was to say that reading Christians are growing Christians.
Conversion of Baxter
There are dangers everywhere in the Christian life and we need to be aware that God has issued us a warning that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (l Cor.8:1). Nevertheless, the Christian ought to be keen to read and grow. Books have maintained a chain of godly influence down through the ages, as John Macleod has shown in Some Favourite Books, published by the Banner of Truth Trust in 1988. In 1630 the Puritan Richard Sibbes wrote his classic work, The Bruised Reed. In the same year, a pedlar came to the door of the Baxter family, and made a sale. The result was that, at the tender age of fifteen, young Richard Baxter read Sibbes' work, and it had a profound effect on him. Baxter himself never went to university, but he read widely. Indeed, such a practice can become something of a snare. Baxter once wrote: "I must confess it is much more pleasing to myself to be retired from the world and to have very little to do with men and to converse with God and conscience and good books".
Conversion of Doddridge and Wilberforce
In 1657 Baxter published his Call to the Unconverted, which has been used by God to awaken many. One of those many was Philip Doddridge, who is perhaps best known to us as a hymn writer. In 1745 he wrote The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. This was a work which in turn greatly helped a young Member of Parliament, William Wilberforce. Like many men of his age, Wilberforce had made the trip to the continent for his education. He accompanied Isaac Milner, the evangelical tutor from Queen's College, Cambridge, and on the return journey read Philip Doddridge's aforementioned Rise and Progress, and the Bible. What he called the "shapeless idleness" of his past struck him, and in 1785 he reluctantly went to visit John Newton, who gave him wise counsel. By 1787 Wilberforce was writing as a decided evangelical Christian: "God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners (it should be pointed out that "manners" then meant "morals").
Wilberforce wrote: "The fatal habit of considering Christian morals as distinct from Christian doctrines insensibly gained strength. Thus the peculiar doctrines of Christianity went more and more out of sight, and as might naturally have been expected, the moral system itself also began to wither and decay, being robbed of that which should have supplied it with life and nutriment". In 1797, in the days before snappy titles came into vogue, Wilberforce penned his A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in This County Contrasted with Real Christianity. It was an instant success, although Samuel Taylor Coleridge asked whether Wilberforce cared for the slaves or only for his own soul.
Wilberforce asserted: "It seems in our days to be the commonly received opinion, that provided a man admit in general terms the truth of Christianity, though he neither know of nor consider much concerning the particulars of the system; and if he be not habitually guilty of any of the grosser vices against his fellow-creatures, we have no great reason to be dissatisfied with him, or to question the validity of his claim to the name and privileges of a Christian". He came to see the difference between one who was born again of the Spirit of God and one who was vaguely influenced by Christian tenets.
Conversion of Chalmers
About the year 1811 Thomas Chalmers, a Moderate clergyman of the Church of Scotland, was converted to the evangelical faith. God had used a number of events in his life to drive Chalmers to justification by faith in Christ alone. Chalmers had come to know Rev Andrew Thomson, the Evangelical minister of St George's, Edinburgh from 1814 to 1831; he went through a broken engagement; and had suffered the deaths, by consumption (tuberculosis), of a brother in 1806 and two sisters, in 1808 and 1810. In fact, he himself had been bed-ridden with consumption, and, while recuperating, had read Blaise Pascal's Pensees, and then William Wilberforce's A Practical View. He testified: "I am now most thoroughly of the opinion .. that on the system of Do this and live no peace ... can ever be attained. It is, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved".
Too much TV
Thus it was that this evangelical chain stretched from Sibbes to Chalmers, from the seventeenth century to the nineteenth century. Today, the links might have fallen out due to too many evenings in front of the television. If modern Christian book catalogues are an indication of the state of the Church, we are in deep trouble. Knickknacks, gimmicks, music, videos and CDs receive most of the publicity. And that a book like The Prayer of Jabez could top the best-seller list is cause for a lament not far removed from that of Elijah in I Kings 19.
It must be granted that bookishness is not godliness: "Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh" (Eccl. 12:12). Reading needs to go hand-in-hand with living. It is easy enough to become yet another learned idiot. There are dangers in being light-headed; dangers in emphasising only the intellect and not the emotions and the will; and dangers in being led astray by books that teach error.
Yet for all that, Christians are those whose minds have been renewed (Rom.12:1-2). Hence there are injunctions such as we find in the book of Proverbs: "Wise men lay up knowledge" (Prov.l0:14). Part of being a Christian is to love God with all our being, including our minds (Mt.22:37), and to destroy arguments and take every thought captive unto obedience to Christ (2 Cor.10:4-5). Our love is to abound with knowledge and all discernment (Phil.1:9-11). In debate, Jesus would often say: "Have ye not read...?" (Mt.12:5) Too often these days, the answer is: "No, I have not". That is not to our credit nor to our benefit. John Flavel surely was right when he declared that "Unless we have a knowing people, we are not likely to have a gracious people".
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
update?
this sound familiar?
"I haven't posted here for ages so I'm sorry... i have nothing witty to write etc. etc."
yeah thought it might be. i'll talk a little of my little life in a random kind of way. A Levels are a lot harder than GCSEs (but then GCSEs were a pushover so A-levels aren't too bad) I have loads of homework which at the moment I am managing to keep on top of all the work but soon Dads stepladder wont reach the top of the pile so i wont be on top of my work... Ok i get you I'll shut up abuot that.
The college held a freshers ball. I wasn't particularly bothered and therefore didnt get a ticket but perhaps i should have done and attended if only to avoid the comments of...
"You SHOULD have been there - it made my life complete" I mean, how annoying can it be to be reminded of missed opportunities again and again. why not look forward to making tomorrow better than today and then the day after tomorrow even better etc. imagnie how good a thousand days down the line would be! The plus side of not attending was that i turned up bright eyed and ready to make my presence known in lessons. Almost everyone else had a glazed/ill/incredibly tired look on their faces apart from me...
I managed to annoy about 1450 people in and around my lessons just by being slightly hyper and happy. I'm still tired though... i think it's staying up till one doing who knows what.
I have played a lot of tennis recently and feel as if I'm getting back in the groove... The groove being some vague halfway house between poor and rubbish :-)
I have also started jogging and here are my tips for jogging.
1. jog in the dark, it makes you feel as if you are running so much faster. It also means not as many people can see you and mock you for running so slowly!
2. enjoy jogging...
There we go I have run dry of ideas there.
Of course I couldn't write an update of a blog without mentioning the beast that is learning to drive. I have been remarkably close to crashing a few times now to the extent that Dad refuses to take me out until I read the highway code... Best do that soon - I love driving.
The Christian union at school has been good. The first meeting of my cell (yes, its MINE and it's a cell (make your own conclusions)) had 15 people along and was good. The one complaint was that we drew a monopoly board on the whiteboard... Why? I dont know ask whosever idea it was. Then they had the cheek to claim the "GO" square should be in the top left hand corner... That is so wrong. If you drew a monopoly board "Go" would be in the bottom right hand side. i mean, if your going to do something stupid at least do it properly.
On the theology of the CU...
Limited atonement a no go area!
Rolling around on the floor (i.e gifts of the spirit)
and many more debateable issues. They are lovely people though.
Finally, am starting to read "How Long o Lord" by Carson... when/ if I finish it soon i will write a review/ summary of it on here.
Hope everyone is well and apologies for the randomness of this post and the terrible spelling
P.S Jon, thanks for those songs... I love you man
(0) comments
"I haven't posted here for ages so I'm sorry... i have nothing witty to write etc. etc."
yeah thought it might be. i'll talk a little of my little life in a random kind of way. A Levels are a lot harder than GCSEs (but then GCSEs were a pushover so A-levels aren't too bad) I have loads of homework which at the moment I am managing to keep on top of all the work but soon Dads stepladder wont reach the top of the pile so i wont be on top of my work... Ok i get you I'll shut up abuot that.
The college held a freshers ball. I wasn't particularly bothered and therefore didnt get a ticket but perhaps i should have done and attended if only to avoid the comments of...
"You SHOULD have been there - it made my life complete" I mean, how annoying can it be to be reminded of missed opportunities again and again. why not look forward to making tomorrow better than today and then the day after tomorrow even better etc. imagnie how good a thousand days down the line would be! The plus side of not attending was that i turned up bright eyed and ready to make my presence known in lessons. Almost everyone else had a glazed/ill/incredibly tired look on their faces apart from me...
I managed to annoy about 1450 people in and around my lessons just by being slightly hyper and happy. I'm still tired though... i think it's staying up till one doing who knows what.
I have played a lot of tennis recently and feel as if I'm getting back in the groove... The groove being some vague halfway house between poor and rubbish :-)
I have also started jogging and here are my tips for jogging.
1. jog in the dark, it makes you feel as if you are running so much faster. It also means not as many people can see you and mock you for running so slowly!
2. enjoy jogging...
There we go I have run dry of ideas there.
Of course I couldn't write an update of a blog without mentioning the beast that is learning to drive. I have been remarkably close to crashing a few times now to the extent that Dad refuses to take me out until I read the highway code... Best do that soon - I love driving.
The Christian union at school has been good. The first meeting of my cell (yes, its MINE and it's a cell (make your own conclusions)) had 15 people along and was good. The one complaint was that we drew a monopoly board on the whiteboard... Why? I dont know ask whosever idea it was. Then they had the cheek to claim the "GO" square should be in the top left hand corner... That is so wrong. If you drew a monopoly board "Go" would be in the bottom right hand side. i mean, if your going to do something stupid at least do it properly.
On the theology of the CU...
Limited atonement a no go area!
Rolling around on the floor (i.e gifts of the spirit)
and many more debateable issues. They are lovely people though.
Finally, am starting to read "How Long o Lord" by Carson... when/ if I finish it soon i will write a review/ summary of it on here.
Hope everyone is well and apologies for the randomness of this post and the terrible spelling
P.S Jon, thanks for those songs... I love you man
Monday, September 27, 2004
...
Late nights + Early mornings = grumpy, tired loser of a child :-)
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Tuesday, September 21, 2004
We beat em!!!
One day cricket certainly does matter when we beat the Aussies at it. Yey!
On another note, I'm learning to drive now... I dont know whose more scared - Mum or Dad! I think its easy and am getting clutch control perfectly (I wish).
College (school I guess but college sounds good) is really good. A really relaxed atmosphere with loads of quality people... my reputation as a freak abounds but I think that most people find it vaguely amusing. I have made lots of friends and have a quality CU group so thats good. Chemistry is quality mainly due to an eccentric excitable teacher while Physics is dull as could be.
The workload is pretty large - at least I think so. Hope to have something a little more interesting to write in the not to distant future. At the moment I must dash... as a family we are readnig "Wuthering heights" something i recommend you all get your teeth into. Tis a quality book.
(1) comments
On another note, I'm learning to drive now... I dont know whose more scared - Mum or Dad! I think its easy and am getting clutch control perfectly (I wish).
College (school I guess but college sounds good) is really good. A really relaxed atmosphere with loads of quality people... my reputation as a freak abounds but I think that most people find it vaguely amusing. I have made lots of friends and have a quality CU group so thats good. Chemistry is quality mainly due to an eccentric excitable teacher while Physics is dull as could be.
The workload is pretty large - at least I think so. Hope to have something a little more interesting to write in the not to distant future. At the moment I must dash... as a family we are readnig "Wuthering heights" something i recommend you all get your teeth into. Tis a quality book.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
In the words of my Maths teacher Dr. Hogarth...
"Maths you will find to be a remarkably mysterious subject... I know very little about it in fact but what I do know is that it is sexy..."
Mysterious? After today's lesson maybe
Sexy? Perhaps bizarre is a more apt way of putting it.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Back to school...
Had looked forward to going back to school, something to do...
I will turn up at school most of the time at 9:00 and finish at approx 4:20 every day. Thats 36 hours and 40 minutes at school each week. In that I have 17 hours and 20 minutes of lessons. The rest of the time I will just be loitering.
Then I also have 17 hours 20 minutes of homework approximately each week...
Hope your lives are just as good.
(0) comments
I will turn up at school most of the time at 9:00 and finish at approx 4:20 every day. Thats 36 hours and 40 minutes at school each week. In that I have 17 hours and 20 minutes of lessons. The rest of the time I will just be loitering.
Then I also have 17 hours 20 minutes of homework approximately each week...
Hope your lives are just as good.
Friday, September 10, 2004
So drinking and getting drunk is cool?
Monday, September 06, 2004
Rambling Thoughts from a challenged young boy...
Once more I have nothing witty to write but again something more serious…
Have recently been challenged by things I’ve read, heard and thought about. Here are just three of them.
Before I do that… those who read are possibly dear friends to me. So if you are one of those reading this blog thank you. Your friendship means so much to me. Its always an encouragement to know there are people of my age who have like cares and concerns for the glory of God and advancement of the gospel (however weak and infrequent they may be).
Firstly, was thinking about my conversations with my friends and also the way I pray for you guys. It’s so easy for me to talk to people and ask them questions along the lines of;
“How are things going with special Mr/ Miss X?”
“What did you get up to today? Where are you going tomorrow? School interesting?”
To answer questions like those are easy too. But perhaps there should be something different that I care about.
When was the last or even the only time that I asked my friends questions such as;
How are things with your soul?
How would you answer a question like that if your friend asked you that? If I was faced with that question I would feel awkward, but maybe that is what I need.
I should care almost as much for the advancement of my friends faith as I do mine (which also needs to increase leaps and bounds).
The same could go for my praying… it’s so easy to get on my knees at my bed at night and pray along the lines of…
“I pray loving Father that you would be with X in his driving test today and help him enjoy the rest of his holiday.”
Something I need to pray about in my intecessorary prayers more is the spiritual growth and encouragement of my friends. Perhaps they should more be along the lines of…
“Gracious Father give X encouragement to go on in the faith yearning to learn more about you and grow visibly in his faith.”
So friends who read this (if any) I’m sorry for my lack of concern for things that are important in your lives.
Secondly, how broad are my prayers? I am amazed at how often I finish a prayer and have only prayed for myself. That is selfish and clearly unbiblical. The only question is, how broad and wide can I get my praying? I’ve heard of many men who pray for those who’ve they’ve never met. It amazes me when we have ministers I’ve never heard of for lunch (well, we don’t eat them, we have them over for lunch) and they show what a profound interest they truly have for the work of our small church in Cambridge and how they labour in prayer for our Church. So even when I “dare” to extend my prayers beyond myself I can still be so narrow. It’s a shame.
A third thought is this:
How does my readings in the Bible and of reformed theology make me more like Christ. Is my knowledge merely a head knowledge or am I seriously intent on walking with God and growing to that ultimate goal of being like Christ. I subscribe to all doctrines of reformed theology seeing that as the most scriptural and sensible approach as a Christian.
But I was thinking to my shame how little impact it has on me. I will never allow myself to sway from the reformed standards (at least I hope so) but wouldn’t it be better to be a charismatic (!) who is growing to be like Christ than a cold hearted Calvinist (if there ever were one). So also, not only should I learn more (I’ve yet to start!) but make it applicable to my life and walk as a Christian.
Sorry for pouring those random cares upon you in such an inarticulate state… Hopefully you might take something from these thoughts or at least know what to pray about for me (if you ever did).
Oh yeah, the link for this post is to the sermons from last years Aber conference. They are long (Joel B was at least an hour and quarter a couple of times). If you have heard of Calvin and respect him the Hamilton guy might be worth listening to :-) is worth listening to even if you dont...
(1) comments
Have recently been challenged by things I’ve read, heard and thought about. Here are just three of them.
Before I do that… those who read are possibly dear friends to me. So if you are one of those reading this blog thank you. Your friendship means so much to me. Its always an encouragement to know there are people of my age who have like cares and concerns for the glory of God and advancement of the gospel (however weak and infrequent they may be).
Firstly, was thinking about my conversations with my friends and also the way I pray for you guys. It’s so easy for me to talk to people and ask them questions along the lines of;
“How are things going with special Mr/ Miss X?”
“What did you get up to today? Where are you going tomorrow? School interesting?”
To answer questions like those are easy too. But perhaps there should be something different that I care about.
When was the last or even the only time that I asked my friends questions such as;
How are things with your soul?
How would you answer a question like that if your friend asked you that? If I was faced with that question I would feel awkward, but maybe that is what I need.
I should care almost as much for the advancement of my friends faith as I do mine (which also needs to increase leaps and bounds).
The same could go for my praying… it’s so easy to get on my knees at my bed at night and pray along the lines of…
“I pray loving Father that you would be with X in his driving test today and help him enjoy the rest of his holiday.”
Something I need to pray about in my intecessorary prayers more is the spiritual growth and encouragement of my friends. Perhaps they should more be along the lines of…
“Gracious Father give X encouragement to go on in the faith yearning to learn more about you and grow visibly in his faith.”
So friends who read this (if any) I’m sorry for my lack of concern for things that are important in your lives.
Secondly, how broad are my prayers? I am amazed at how often I finish a prayer and have only prayed for myself. That is selfish and clearly unbiblical. The only question is, how broad and wide can I get my praying? I’ve heard of many men who pray for those who’ve they’ve never met. It amazes me when we have ministers I’ve never heard of for lunch (well, we don’t eat them, we have them over for lunch) and they show what a profound interest they truly have for the work of our small church in Cambridge and how they labour in prayer for our Church. So even when I “dare” to extend my prayers beyond myself I can still be so narrow. It’s a shame.
A third thought is this:
How does my readings in the Bible and of reformed theology make me more like Christ. Is my knowledge merely a head knowledge or am I seriously intent on walking with God and growing to that ultimate goal of being like Christ. I subscribe to all doctrines of reformed theology seeing that as the most scriptural and sensible approach as a Christian.
But I was thinking to my shame how little impact it has on me. I will never allow myself to sway from the reformed standards (at least I hope so) but wouldn’t it be better to be a charismatic (!) who is growing to be like Christ than a cold hearted Calvinist (if there ever were one). So also, not only should I learn more (I’ve yet to start!) but make it applicable to my life and walk as a Christian.
Sorry for pouring those random cares upon you in such an inarticulate state… Hopefully you might take something from these thoughts or at least know what to pray about for me (if you ever did).
Oh yeah, the link for this post is to the sermons from last years Aber conference. They are long (Joel B was at least an hour and quarter a couple of times). If you have heard of Calvin and respect him the Hamilton guy might be worth listening to :-) is worth listening to even if you dont...
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Thinking
Was thinking recently (yes, I managed to get round to that) and heres what it was...
What do I think about when I've got nothing to think about? Is my mind occupied with Christ at the times or just some random things... When we dont have the worries of life over hanging us and need not worry about work what do our minds turn to? I know that if you knew what my thoughts turned to it would be embarrasing.
If in this world you are what you eat (with some showing it more than others) then I would say as Christians we are what we think... Therefore (and I speak to myself) what am I? What are we?
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What do I think about when I've got nothing to think about? Is my mind occupied with Christ at the times or just some random things... When we dont have the worries of life over hanging us and need not worry about work what do our minds turn to? I know that if you knew what my thoughts turned to it would be embarrasing.
If in this world you are what you eat (with some showing it more than others) then I would say as Christians we are what we think... Therefore (and I speak to myself) what am I? What are we?
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Only an Irishman
Defrocked Priest Won’t Pull Another PrankPosted
Cornelius Horan, the defrocked Irish priest who sabotaged Brazilian Marathoner runner Vanderlei de Lima’s chances from getting a gold medal, vowed that he would never do it again.
It was the second time he had interrupted a major sporting event after running on to the track at Silverstone during last year’s British Formula One Grand Prix for which he received a two-month jail sentence.
Horan said he is highlighting the “second coming of Christ” and pledged never to pull off a similar prank against. He said, “I have done it twice now and I do not want to do it again. I promise never to do it again because it could damage my mission and it could land me in jail”.
Horan said he chose the Athens Marathon to deliver his message because he could think of no better world stage.
He added, “it was a terrible tragedy for me personally to have to take down that little man. It hurt me and it almost brought me to tears when I saw it on television later. I pray God will give him something even greater than a gold medal”.
Horan’s family said they were shocked by his actions and wanted to apologise to the Brazilian people.
Courtesy of GamesBids.com
Interesting to note that the Irish olympic thing have offered the Brazillian a complimentary place in the Dublin Marathon....
Why would anyone want to run in that?!?!
The guy is clearly insane and should be grabbed by the scruff of the neck, dragged to the nearest pier and thrown in...
(0) comments
Defrocked Priest Won’t Pull Another PrankPosted
Cornelius Horan, the defrocked Irish priest who sabotaged Brazilian Marathoner runner Vanderlei de Lima’s chances from getting a gold medal, vowed that he would never do it again.
It was the second time he had interrupted a major sporting event after running on to the track at Silverstone during last year’s British Formula One Grand Prix for which he received a two-month jail sentence.
Horan said he is highlighting the “second coming of Christ” and pledged never to pull off a similar prank against. He said, “I have done it twice now and I do not want to do it again. I promise never to do it again because it could damage my mission and it could land me in jail”.
Horan said he chose the Athens Marathon to deliver his message because he could think of no better world stage.
He added, “it was a terrible tragedy for me personally to have to take down that little man. It hurt me and it almost brought me to tears when I saw it on television later. I pray God will give him something even greater than a gold medal”.
Horan’s family said they were shocked by his actions and wanted to apologise to the Brazilian people.
Courtesy of GamesBids.com
Interesting to note that the Irish olympic thing have offered the Brazillian a complimentary place in the Dublin Marathon....
Why would anyone want to run in that?!?!
The guy is clearly insane and should be grabbed by the scruff of the neck, dragged to the nearest pier and thrown in...
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Hitherto, nevertheless and following on, rounding up and down, left and right, over and under, in and through, above and beyond, and summing up...
Where to start? Who to thank and who to praise... It's been a mad summer. I think for the benefit of all I will just write all I can remember (which isn't much)
First, Beach Mission. What an experience a time when my hyperness had to be seriously kept in check by yours truly or else I feel I would have been sent home. It mainly involved me getting soaking wet and freezing enabling all around to laugh at me. I did manage to do a lot of shouting nearly wrecking my voice but hey whats life without a bit of pain. The largest member of the team was chosen to be the cat when I was the mouse (in that fantastic parachute game Cat and Mouse). The scar he caused will be there for life now to serve as a reminder of my first ever week on a Beach Mission.
The serious side of Beach Missions is obviously to tell people about Christ and in my opinion that went well. The events we ran had many people attending and listening attentively to the gospel message. Was very challenged over the week to examine myself as a Christian and see in what areas I can improve.
Then there was camp... What a camp it was. i'd forgotten how much i miss all you guys :-( I love you all. Here is where i kind of come out of my shell. The unfortunate thing is that however loud I am it doesn't keep wasps away and I was stung twice by them. Admittedly i ensured those two creatures will never see the light of day again but it still annoyed me. I have now officially declared war on all wasps. So many fond memories and bruises from that week but the highlights were all spiritual. The Bible Studies and morning sermons were fantastic and the campers prayer meetings were such and encouragement so thanks to all who made it like that for me.
I have also been reminded about my first meeting with Joel Stocker. Such a cheeky beggar. Stood on my bad toe and made him (my bad toe that is) bleed. The embarassing thing is the way in which I reacted which was to get that blood and wipe it on his face... I'm sorry man I love you really....
THEN....
I went to Aber with Ralph and jonny Wayman (who has ridiculously long hair).
That was a quality week. Not only was I introduced to the word "gripe" and had many arguments about paedobaptism but I also had my trainers nicked and one sock... What kind of a loser would nick only one sock? I can't believe it... I'm in tears now thinking of it. Had to stand on a bench and make an announcement to all the sensible Christians remaining on the pier. Another highlight was our girls winning the netball tournament and us lads managing to make more enemies than Hitler (they were Welsh however so it doesn't matter - all they have is nice deep singing voices)
The highlight however had to be David Carmichaels sermon. Preached with such passion with so many points to encourage, rebuke, challenge, build up as well as being powerful evangelistically. Especially like the way he rebuked those pathetic liberals who promote the new Christ who doesnt require our full attention and doesn't want us to take up our crosses daily. Liked the way in which he said they "should be grabbed by the scruff of the neck, dragged to the nearest pier and thrown in." Another thing he said was "Why would anyone want to follow a Christ who is portrayed as being so weak, pathetic and effeminate..." Was a quality sermon.
So I'd like to thank my parents.. especially my Mum and Dad for allowing me to have those 3 quality weeks. The only problem is now that I'm in a little bit of debt (bought too much food and too many books) and now ask only one small thing... For the chance to show that money can't make me happy.
Finally, we went away to France as a family. Was very impressed with Paris and enjoyed the south of France. highlight had to be me and my sister capsizing our canoe as we went down the Dordogne river on a day trip... Maybe Sarah wasn't best pleased but I laughed.
A quick rant at the stupid French (those who are French and not stupid you are Ok)
We missed our flight because of the traffic round paris and ended up spending about 17 hours in total travelling home... THAT SUCKS
Anyway I'll finish there before I start getting bored
HOpe all of you are well Big Love to you all...
(0) comments
First, Beach Mission. What an experience a time when my hyperness had to be seriously kept in check by yours truly or else I feel I would have been sent home. It mainly involved me getting soaking wet and freezing enabling all around to laugh at me. I did manage to do a lot of shouting nearly wrecking my voice but hey whats life without a bit of pain. The largest member of the team was chosen to be the cat when I was the mouse (in that fantastic parachute game Cat and Mouse). The scar he caused will be there for life now to serve as a reminder of my first ever week on a Beach Mission.
The serious side of Beach Missions is obviously to tell people about Christ and in my opinion that went well. The events we ran had many people attending and listening attentively to the gospel message. Was very challenged over the week to examine myself as a Christian and see in what areas I can improve.
Then there was camp... What a camp it was. i'd forgotten how much i miss all you guys :-( I love you all. Here is where i kind of come out of my shell. The unfortunate thing is that however loud I am it doesn't keep wasps away and I was stung twice by them. Admittedly i ensured those two creatures will never see the light of day again but it still annoyed me. I have now officially declared war on all wasps. So many fond memories and bruises from that week but the highlights were all spiritual. The Bible Studies and morning sermons were fantastic and the campers prayer meetings were such and encouragement so thanks to all who made it like that for me.
I have also been reminded about my first meeting with Joel Stocker. Such a cheeky beggar. Stood on my bad toe and made him (my bad toe that is) bleed. The embarassing thing is the way in which I reacted which was to get that blood and wipe it on his face... I'm sorry man I love you really....
THEN....
I went to Aber with Ralph and jonny Wayman (who has ridiculously long hair).
That was a quality week. Not only was I introduced to the word "gripe" and had many arguments about paedobaptism but I also had my trainers nicked and one sock... What kind of a loser would nick only one sock? I can't believe it... I'm in tears now thinking of it. Had to stand on a bench and make an announcement to all the sensible Christians remaining on the pier. Another highlight was our girls winning the netball tournament and us lads managing to make more enemies than Hitler (they were Welsh however so it doesn't matter - all they have is nice deep singing voices)
The highlight however had to be David Carmichaels sermon. Preached with such passion with so many points to encourage, rebuke, challenge, build up as well as being powerful evangelistically. Especially like the way he rebuked those pathetic liberals who promote the new Christ who doesnt require our full attention and doesn't want us to take up our crosses daily. Liked the way in which he said they "should be grabbed by the scruff of the neck, dragged to the nearest pier and thrown in." Another thing he said was "Why would anyone want to follow a Christ who is portrayed as being so weak, pathetic and effeminate..." Was a quality sermon.
So I'd like to thank my parents.. especially my Mum and Dad for allowing me to have those 3 quality weeks. The only problem is now that I'm in a little bit of debt (bought too much food and too many books) and now ask only one small thing... For the chance to show that money can't make me happy.
Finally, we went away to France as a family. Was very impressed with Paris and enjoyed the south of France. highlight had to be me and my sister capsizing our canoe as we went down the Dordogne river on a day trip... Maybe Sarah wasn't best pleased but I laughed.
A quick rant at the stupid French (those who are French and not stupid you are Ok)
We missed our flight because of the traffic round paris and ended up spending about 17 hours in total travelling home... THAT SUCKS
Anyway I'll finish there before I start getting bored
HOpe all of you are well Big Love to you all...
