Here is a very interesting post I came across by Russell Moore. Russell Moore is a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

I think personal testimonies, as part of Christian worship, are a good thing to do. And I think we need more of them. I wonder, though, if sometimes our testimonies might unintentionally empower Satan rather than combat him.

By a “testimony,” of course, I mean a believer’s sharing of the story of how he or she came to faith in Christ. Almost all evangelical churches have something along these lines. If not a verbal testimony from behind the pulpit, these stories still tend to show up. Sometimes they’re in a video shown during the offering or in an illustration in the pastor’s preaching. Sometimes they’re in our evangelical magazines or websites. And, of course, we perhaps most often find our testimonies in what we sing together (from “Amazing Grace” right on down).

The problem is, though, that we often choose to highlight those testimonies that we deem to be “dramatic.” We feature the testimony of the ex-alcoholic who says “Since I met Jesus, I never drink” or the ex-gambling addict who notes that he never missed the poker table. Conversions like this happen sometimes and we ought to give praise to God when they do.

But these kinds of liberation are no more miraculous than the far more typical testimony of the repentant drunk who says, “Every time I hear a clink of ice in a glass I tremble with desire, but God is faithful in keeping me sober.”

Now, I know why we shy away from such seemingly tentative testimonies. After all, the whole point is to give hope to those who are struggling. We don’t want the drunk out there to see his future as, potentially, a lifelong grappling with the temptation to drink. Isn’t it far more freeing for him to hear the testimony of the one who says, with the old gospel song, “It was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day”?

The Christ life never promises freedom from temptation. The Christ life promises freedom from slavery to sin, and from the condemnation that comes with it. This is presented in the gospel as a skirmish, from now until resurrection from the dead. If the Scriptures are this honest, we should be too.

Moreover, there are multiple people in our audiences, and we ought to protect them with the vision of the gospel we project. The repentant drunk who still wants to drink might conclude he’s not really received by Jesus; that his temptation is evidence that he’s predestined to alcoholism. That couple who have cut up all their credit cards, because they know they’ll spend every line of credit they have if they don’t, might conclude they’re not “spiritual” enough to follow Christ because they’re still at war with their appetites.

If Satan cannot draw people into sin, and thus into death, he’ll draw them into despair because their fight against temptation hasn’t dissipated. Don’t leave those people with a message of condemnation, when the gospel promises freedom.

Yes, celebrate those who have escaped the grip of sin. But don’t just pretend that this means an escape from temptation. Even the ex-drunk who doesn’t want alcohol anymore (and there aren’t many) just has his temptation moving to some other area. Let’s celebrate too the sinner who wants what he doesn’t want to want, but who dies to self, picks up his cross, and follows Christ.

It might be that God frees someone instantly from the appetite for whatever he or she is drawn toward. But typically he instead enables one to fight it. This might go on for forty days, for forty years, or for an entire lifetime. That’s all right. In the meantime, we’re going to be there to bear burdens for one another.

Satan hates the gospel, and he hates the testimony of grace. Let’s make sure our people (and their demonic accusers) hear the whole message. Temptation isn’t instantly nullified by conversion. Even our sinless Lord Jesus was tempted. The grace of God leads us to Christ, and then joins us to him in the war zone.

That’s painful. Crucifixion always is. But it’s grace, and, however strong the fight, it’s amazing.

"The renewed man is a pardoned man; the pardoned man becomes a holy man; and the holy man is a happy man."

Today, I happened to go back and read a post on Brian Main's blog (one of my close pastor friends and my assistant coach in Upward!!)

This post was so good and so relevant, so I decided to copy and paste here.

By the way, this post was his last - from last June - which also made me feel good! :)

here it is:

I've asked this question to myself and to my kids: Would you rather be perfect or forgiven? My natural instinct is to prefer to be perfect. I feel better about myself when I am perfect - when I don't make any mistakes (at least not any that people know about). But I am not perfect. And my failures frustrate me. But I realized a while back that my failures bring me an opportunity to experience something better than being perfect - being forgiven. You see, if I was perfect, people would probably always treat me okay - just because they'd have no reason not to. But when people treat me well when they have a reason not to - when they forgive me - then I know I am loved. And, when I stop and think about it, I would rather be loved and know it than be perfect and wonder if anyone really loves me. Would I rather be perfect or forgiven? I thank God that, in His wisdom, He did not make me perfect. Because as an imperfect person I have the opportunity to know that I am loved - by other people, and most of all by God.


Another way for God to remind us that even our sin is part of God's sanctifying process. I am reminded of a quote that says "till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet". For those of us who know our sin well and have tasted just how bitter it is...Christ is becoming sweeter and sweeter!

The Gospel vs Religion

Recently I was asked by someone, “what is the difference between being gospel centered and being religious”? Well, in order to answer that question, we must define these terms. What is the Gospel? The word gospel simply means “good news.” The central message of the Bible is the gospel, or good news, about the person and work of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, Paul provides the most succinct summary of the gospel: the man Christ Jesus, who is also God, died on a cross in our place, paying the penalty for our sins; three days later He rose to conquer sin and death and give the gift of salvation to all who believe in Him alone for eternal life.

The great reformer Martin Luther (who we will talk about more on Reformation Sunday – October 31st) rightly said that, as sinners, we are prone to pursue a relationship with God in one of two ways. The first is religion/spirituality and the second is the gospel. The two are antithetical in every way.

Religion says that if we obey God He will love us. The gospel says that it is because God has loved us through Jesus that we can obey.
Religion says that the world is filled with good people and bad people. The gospel says that the world is filled with bad people who are either repentant or unrepentant.

Religion says that you should trust in what you do as a good moral person. The gospel says that you should trust in the perfectly sinless life of Jesus because He alone is the only good and truly moral person who will ever live.
The goal of religion is to get from God such things as health, wealth, insight, power, and control. The goal of the gospel is not the gifts God gives, but rather God as the gift given to us by grace.

Religion is about what I have to do. The gospel is about what I get to do. Religion sees hardship in life as punishment from God. The gospel sees hardship in life as sanctifying affliction that reminds us of Jesus’ sufferings and is used by God in love to make us more like Jesus. Religion is about me. The gospel is about Jesus.
Religion leads to an uncertainty about my standing before God because I never know if I have done enough to please God. The gospel leads to a certainty about my standing before God because of the finished work of Jesus on my behalf on the cross.
Religion ends in either pride (because I think I am better than other people) or despair (because I continually fall short of God’s commands). The gospel ends in humble and confident joy because of the power of Jesus at work for me, in me, through me, and sometimes in spite of me!

I hope that you can see that there is a major difference between the gospel and religion. While we may not consider ourselves to be “religious” it is a matter of life and death that we know and receive the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Another article from the Final Word

Do you ever read the religion section in the newspaper? Well, it is not my usual custom to do so but just recently I stumbled upon an article in ‘The Review ’. There is a section called “Give Me The Bible” with a weekly biblical thought. I was intrigued by the title and the subject for the week – Original Sin. I didn’t have to get very far to see that the author of this little article was not going to do what the title suggests. You see the title suggests that the author is going to give his readers “the Bible”. But two sentences into his article he says, “I do not believe this is a doctrine taught in the Bible, but is popular in the religious community”. May I suggest that both parts of that sentence are erroneous.

#1. The idea that this doctrine of original sin is not taught in the Bible
#2. The idea that this doctrine of original sin is popular in the religious community.

While it is true, unfortunately, that many things that are popular in the religious community are not necessarily taught in the Bible, this is not one of those teachings. First of all, there is nothing more misunderstood and therefore not accepted as the doctrine of original sin.

Pastor John MacArthur laments the widespread loss of biblical reality among the religious community when he says, “we are rapidly losing sight of sin as the root of all human woes. And many Christians are explicitly denying that their own sin can be the cause of their personal anguish. More and more are attempting to explain the human dilemma in wholly unbiblical terms: temperament, addiction, dysfunctional families, the child within, codependency, and a host of other irresponsible escape mechanisms promoted by secular psychology. The potential impact of such a drift is frightening. Remove the reality of sin, and you take away the possibility of repentance. Abolish the doctrine of human depravity and you void the divine plan of salvation. Erase the notion of personal guilt and you eliminate the need for a Savior.”

As MacArthur explains, the church (the religious community) has lost sight of the doctrine of original sin. It is not popular in the world and therefore it is no longer a popular teaching in the church. But, this is where our problem lies – we are taking our cues from what is popular in the world or what is accepted among the majority instead of what the Word of God says!

The author of the article in the paper goes on to try and defend his position that original sin is not taught in the Bible. But nothing could be further from the truth. All of God’s Word teaches this very important doctrine. The Bible tells us that sin is not simply the wrong things that I do or even not doing the things that I should. We are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners. The Bible describes sin as a nature that manifests itself in the sins that we commit. Our very nature, the internal character that is the essence of who we are as persons, is sinful.

So, where did this nature come from? Well, our answer lies in the title “original sin”. Its origin comes from the fall of man recorded for us in Genesis chapter 3. It was here in the garden where Adam (as the representative for all mankind) sinned by rejecting the Creator God as Lord and Authority over his life. While Adam’s sin plunged us all into ruin, you and I have often made the same irrational decisions of rejecting God and wanting to be our own authority. This is what was intended by Friedrich Nietzsche when he once stated, “if there is a god, how can I bear not to be that god?”. What a tragic statement and yet maybe Nietzsche was more willing to be honest about his own heart’s battle than the average person. He was revealing that he wanted to be god and lord and ultimately this is the sin of every man and woman. If we think it is unfair that Adam’s sin is part of our being even before we are born, just remember that our constant rebellion against God demonstrates that we too have voluntarily committed many actual sins for which we are guilty. In Psalm 51, David cries out to God for mercy upon his sin. He is so overwhelmed by his sin (a specific act that he had committed) that as he looks back on his life and realizes that he was sinful from the beginning. As far back as he can think of himself, he realizes that he has had a sinful nature. In fact, when he was born or “brought forth” from his mother’s womb, he was brought forth in iniquity. Some have mistakenly thought that the sin of David’s mother is in view here, but this is incorrect. The entire context has nothing to do with David’s mother but all to do with David’s personal sin.

But there is good news with this message as well. While we are all born “in Adam”, God has devised a way for us to be saved or redeemed from our sin. The Bible says that there is a second Adam. And just as we are represented by Adam in his sin, God has sent a Man to represent us in “His righteousness”. Adam, our first representative sinned – and God counted us guilty. But Christ, the representative of all who believe in Him, obeyed God perfectly – and God counts us righteous. One of my favorite verses is Romans 5:8 that says “even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. The question has to be asked, when did Christ die? Was I even alive yet? Of course not, but notice how the Bible considers me already a sinner when Christ died for me. I hadn’t committed any actual sins but I was already guilty and in need of a Savior. Jesus died in my place, the innocent for the guilty.

Many of you are old enough to remember when Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon. I have seen newspapers the day after that great event that declared “We landed on the moon!”. The newspapers are not just American newspapers but newspapers from all over the world. Why would they say “we” and not just simply Neil Armstrong? There was an understanding that what he did represented all of mankind. In fact, we still quote his words today – “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. In the same way, Adam in his sin took all mankind down with him. But, in the most glorious way, Christ defeated sin and death and hell when he died and rose again. So for all of those who believe and trust in Christ, we are made alive with Him and our “original or inherited sin” is defeated!

For further study read:
Rom. 5:12-21
I Cor. 15
Psalm 51

Article from the Final Word!

Whether you are home-schooling your children or not, we can all agree that God’s Word teaches that our homes should be the center of our children’s learning. The home is where it all begins and any education that our children might receive should be secondary to what they receive from us as parents. If it is true that God expects us as parents to be constantly teaching and training our children then it is critical that we are good educators. But how can we be good educators unless we ourselves are good learners? This is where the “classical” model has been so helpful. The goal of a classical education is to teach students “how” to learn by equipping them with the tools of learning. An early emphasis is placed upon basic learning skills, followed by formal instruction in logic and finally by development of clear verbal and written mechanisms of expression in each subject studied. In other words, the classical model uses a model of education called the Trivium. The Trivium divides the education process into three stages: grammar, dialectic and rhetoric. Students begin by learning the fundamental facts and rules of each subject. This is how we usually teach our children from the earliest ages up until approximately fifth grade. Teaching methods such as singing, drilling, chanting and recitation are emphasized. The second stage of learning is the dialectic stage. Here students are taught how to analyze, reason, question, evaluate and critique. The third and final stage of the Trivium is rhetoric. In the study of rhetoric, students learn how to express what they know and what they are learning. Debate, apologetics, speech and writing are emphasized during this stage.

Again, the goal of a classical education is to teach students “how” to learn and to give them the proper tools to do so. My biggest disappointment with education (my own and when I was on staff in a Christian school) has been in this very critical area. While most educators attempt to at least take their students through the grammar stage of learning (driving home truths), what I saw missing greatly was the second and third stages. It is in the area of “logic” that so many of our educators and churches are failing. While we may pour out information to our students and children, we have not taught them how to reason and logically think through ideas yet alone to be able to articulate these truths and reason with others in a persuasive manner.

In fact, it seems to be that most educators do not even see these stages as important parts of a student’s education. But, as we look at Scripture, these are critical parts of what God requires us to do as we teach our children. Our first priority as parents is to pass on the faith to our children. If we desire to do this, we must help our children walk through all three of these stages. We must pour truth into them (using tools like the Heidelberg Catechism), then help them when they have questions to reason and think logically. Then finally to be able to take these very truths and present them to others in a way that is winsome and persuasive. So much of what I am describing is wrapped up in God’s mandate to parents to pass on the faith to their children.

In conclusion, let me make a couple of important points. First, please do not see these stages as age-related. It is not as if you move from one stage to another when you go from elementary school to middle school or high school to college. In fact, you and I are constantly going through all three stages all the time. Anytime we learn something new or take on a new project (remodeling the house or gardening) we learn in this same manner. The only way we can truly say we got to the final “rhetoric” stage is when we have mastered the material enough to be able to put it into action or to teach it to others. Second, the most important tools in educating our children (and ourselves) are good books. Of course, for the Christian this begins with God’s Holy Word. Reading is absolutely critical and unfortunately, we are battling our culture at every turn in this area. Years ago it was normal for children to take a good book along with them on a long trip in the car. But, as you know, this is not the case anymore. Our culture has now moved to an electronic and image-based culture which has altered our sensibilities. We no longer read to cause ourselves to “think” but we quickly skim over to get needful information. Since God’s Word is God’s means to salvation, we ought to take very seriously the importance of reading and thinking through text (and no, not text messages). If you and I believe that knowing God is the most important thing for this life and the next, then knowing God’s Word (which is His means of making Himself known) is critical. So, if you and I have no taste or attention span for reading and mulling over texts of Scripture we have a serious problem that can affect our spiritual walk. Finally, there is one final element that I think must be emphasized in our educating of our children. Men, God calls us to be the “leaders” in this area. Whether it be in our church or in our homes, we are to model this to our wives and to our children. We must take the challenge to be “learners” first and then to teach others also.

Vast as the Ocean!

Here is love, vast as the ocean
Lovingkindness as the flood
When the Prince of Life our Ransom
Shed for us His precious blood
Who His love cannot remember
Who can cease to sing His praise
He can never be forgotten
Throughout heaven's eternal days

Well, this has always been one of my favorite hymns but the first line has taken on greater meaning these last couple of days. That's because I am making this post from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on vacation. Where we are staying, I am able to see the ocean from our deck. So, this morning I started the day with God's Word and worship with the ocean in view. And, I couldnt help but sing this song!

As vast as the ocean is and how it can so easily swallow up the largest boat, the hymn writer reminds us that God's love is greater still! It is wider, higher and deeper than this massive body of water and it also exceeds in its power and strength. As powerful as these waters are...it is no comparison with God's love. God's love is so powerful that it was able to overcome the enemies of sin, death and hell. The Bible tells us that God's love is demonstrated to us 'in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' (Rom. 5:8). Or as this song says, 'when the Prince of life, our Ransom, shed for us His precious blood. Or as the second verse puts it:

On the mount of crucifixion
Fountains flowing deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God's mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide
Grace and love like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
Heaven's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love!

Well, a couple more quick thoughts from Myrtle:

#1. I thank God for Pastor Ron Starcher. Again this morning he is preaching for me and it is such a privilege to have such a humble servant of God fill the pulpit. I do not believe that there is another pastor in our area who handles the Word as carefully and structures a sermon as efficiently as this man. It is a great blessing to have him as a part of our church and to hear from him as he opens God's Word!

#2. Anytime I am away from First Baptist, I feel something is missing. In fact, it isnt something but someone - the body of Christ "locally" that God has called me to and has allowed me to be a part of. The Bible describes every local church as a "body" and that some of us are "eyes" or "hands". So, it only makes sense that while I am away...it feels like a part of me is missing. Everytime I feel this void, I stop and thank God for it...cause it reminds me of the unique situation that I have with the church that God has called me to. Not every pastor has this "love" relationship with his congregation and I do not take it for granted!

So, to quote Paul from Philippians 4:1
"Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved."

National Day of Prayer

As many of you know today has been set aside for prayer for our nation. This morning I had the privilege of starting the day in prayer with 15 other believers. Among this group was my mother, my wife's parents and two of my own children. It was a unique experience to be praying with the generation before me and the generation behind me.

I pray that my parents trust in Christ will be faithfully passed on to my children through me. I thought again this morning about the importance of passing on the "baton" of faith. I pray that even this morning's prayers will "mark" my children and help them to see that there is only one place that is worthy of putting our faith and trust. With the days to come being so uncertain, pray that the next generation will learn of God's Holy Name and trust in Him and love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.

Please pray today for the leaders of our nation! Here is a prayer written by R.C. Sproul to help guide us in our prayers today:

"Our Father and our God, indeed You are our God, and Your sovereignty extends over all things. That as God, Your relevance and Your dominion can never be restricted merely to the realm of the spiritual or the religious, but that your sovereignty extends over all creation, over every aspect of our life and of our culture, over our government, over our church, over our schools, over our health, over our wealth, over our thinking, our planning, and our crying. And so we, as your people, are pleading with you to have mercy upon us, to give us leaders who have a regard for You, who will regard Your name as holy, and who will understand that in whatever office they hold, they are to be your servants, for you have ordained them. And we ask that you would bring new life to your church and that we may begin our repentance at our own house and in our own churches as we plead with you to have mercy upon us as a nation, as a people, as a culture that the light of Christ may be rekindled with great glory and intense brightness in our land, and that there would be a revival of a knowledge of Thee without which our land will mourn and our people will perish. And we ask these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."

Passover Customs and Traditions

This is one of my favorite times of the year. For the Christian, our minds and hearts are fixed upon the person and work of Jesus Christ all year long. But, this time of year allows us to do so with even more passion!

I would like to take a moment to invite you to some of our services that are intended to help us fix our eyes on Christ!

First, this Sunday is Palm Sunday. We will be celebrating God's plan to bring salvation to sinners and then we will take communion together.

Second, there is a Good Friday service at 6:30 pm. Ron Starcher will be preaching and helping us to consider the death of Christ on our behalf.

Third, we invite you to our services on Easter Sunday. We have a service at 8:30am and again at 10:45am. There is also a fellowship breakfast in between if you are able to stay or come early. Easter Sunday is always one of the most worshipful services of the year as we meditate upon our risen Savior!

Finally, right in the middle of this Passion Week we will be having a very special and unique service. On Wednesday evening at 6:30, we will be meeting in the fellowship hall for a Passover Sedar Service. We will be led through a Passover meal together by one of our missionaries. So, do not eat dinner before you come and plan on taking advantage of this unique opportunity to worship our Lord for His great work of redemption!

I asked my friend to write an article to help us to prepare our hearts for this occasion...so here it is:

"There are traditions and customs that we clearly identify as Jewish and there are those that we label as Christian. Those customs derived from the Bible often have various or changing meanings depending on who observes them and in what context. For example, most churches observe Communion or the Lord's Supper on a regular basis. We follow this custom according to Paul's command in 1 Corinthians chapter 11 in order to proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again. We might even relate it to the Last Supper that Jesus ate with his disciples prior to his crucifixion. Do you have DaVinci's famous painting in mind? Most Christians identify this as a distinctly Christian custom. How often, however, do we think of either of these in light of their Jewish origins in relation to the yearly Passover sacrifice that the Jews have observed since their deliverance from Egypt 1500 years before the advent of Christianity?

When rabbi Yeshua gathered his disciples together for that last meal, it was in observance of the Jewish Feast of Unleavened Bread. Mark, in his gospel, writes, "on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, 'Where do you want us to go and make preparation for you to eat the Passover?'" (Mark 14:12). Later in the chapter, Mark tells us that while they were eating, Jesus took matzo (unleavened bread), gave thanks and broke it.

While living in Jerusalem, a Jewish family from our son's school invited us to eat a Passover meal with them. The father, acting as priest and king of the family, lifted up a cloth sack containing 3 pieces of matzo. He removed the middle piece of unleavened bread and broke it in half. He placed this broken matzo, known as the afikomen, in a separate cloth and hid it. Traditionally, after the meal, the children will search for the hidden afikomen. The one who finds it is often rewarded with money or chocolate.

One Jewish tradition tells us that the three pieces of matzo represent the three divisions of the Jewish people--the Priests, Levites, and Israelites. Another says that they represent the three patriarchs--Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Why is the middle matzo, the afikomen, removed and broken? We are told that it represents the Passover lamb that is to be sacrificed just like Isaac was taken to the mountain as a sacrifice by his father, Abraham. Jewish tradition says that God will send a Messiah at Passover to redeem his people through the prophet Moses. Afikomen is a Greek word that translates as that which is coming after or he who is coming after. Modern Jewish tradition tells us that this refers to the dessert, the hidden piece of matzo that will be eaten after the meal.

As rabbi Yeshua lifted up the afikomen at the Passover meal and broke it he said, "take and eat; this is my body." He was hidden for a time--crucified and buried, only to be revealed on the third day. Is he the one that Moses wrote about in Deuteronomy 18:15, "the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers."? Is he the one that John the Baptist, coming in the spirit of Elijah, announced as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world--the Passover lamb without spot or blemish?

I hope that you will join us next Wednesday evening at First Baptist of Howland as we enjoy a Passover meal together and see Christ, the Messiah, in the Passover."

God Over All

As many of you know by now, our family has had a crazy week. On Tuesday, my wife took my daughter Jana to the doctor. After running a couple of tests, the doctor came in and told my wife that our daughter has juvenile diabetes. She told us to go to the Akron Children's Hospital immediately. She was admitted into ICU on Tuesday evening with a blood sugar level over 600. We have spent the last 48 hours learning more about what all this means and how we need to care for Jana going forward.

Today, Jana is doing much better and the doctor has told her that she will be able to go right back to normal activities as soon as we arrive home. Most likely we will be heading home this evening but we are still waiting for an official word. (I am typing this from the hospital room.)

Many thoughts have run through my mind this week...but I will just share a few:

1. God's hand of providence is all over this. It is times like these that I "rest" in our God's Sovereign care. I am reminded of Romans 8 that teaches us that God (the Father) did not spare His own Son...so if he would not spare His own Son (the greatest gift and treasure that He could possibly give) than He will not withhold any good thing. Since we know this is true, than even when difficult times come our way...we know that God is good and intends good for us in anything He brings our way!

2. This has been a great teaching opportunity with my daughter. A major part of my role in life is to be a "priest" to my wife and children. I hope that I always take advantage of the opportunities God gives me to lead them, but sometimes the opportunities are greater than others. This trial has given me more opportunities to teach her about our Great God and how He intends to use this for His glory!

3. I am so thankful for the two ladies who live in my home. My wife is an incredible mom who always puts our needs before her own. As I watched my daughter this week, I saw the same characteristics in her that are in my wife. Determination, strong will (which is good most of the time!!), courage, commitment and faith in God! I am truly blessed to have these 2 daughters of God in my life!

4. Finally, my wife and I (and Jana) would like to thank everyone for their prayers, concerns and acts of kindness during these past few days. We have always known that God's plan for how the body of Christ works...works! But, it is another thing to experience it! We have experienced it this week. This is one of the reasons why God created the church and His plan is best!

Btw, I am really looking foward to worshiping together in church this Sunday. As we planned music for our services (6-8 weeks ago), here are a couple of the songs that we chose for this Sunday:

- This is my Father's World
- It is well with my soul
- Thy way, not mine

And last week we sang "God over all" and one of my favorites by Fernando Ortega, "I will praise Him still".

The reason I bring this up is to show how much God is in the details of our lives, even when we do not realize it. These songs will minister to us this coming Sunday, assisting us to praise Him on our best and our worst days!

Thanks again and please continue to pray!

On Handling Criticism

This past Sunday I preached from Luke 16 (yes, I'm still in Luke) and read these words: "The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him." The few words "and they ridiculed him" stood out to me. There is much more to this text that I tried to draw out in the sermon on Sunday, but I thought I would post a few of my thoughts on these 4 words.

First of all, I recently have found myself dealing with criticism and what I would consider 'being misunderstood'. Is it not amazing how God's Word always speaks to us in our time of need? The very week in which I find myself dealing with this issue, I turn to the next passage in Luke's gospel and I find Christ being ridiculed. I then began to examine myself in this area of dealing with criticism. Here are a few of my thoughts and I hope they are helpful to you (if not, feel free to criticize!).

When you find yourself under criticism or ridicule, first evaluate your heart and mindset. If we find ourselves getting angry or desiring to get even, this is not a good sign! Stop and ask yourself why you are feeling this way (yes, this is permission to talk to yourself). Is your anger truly a righteous anger over God and His glory or is it because you have been misunderstood and possibly not appreciated?

Think about Moses as he was leading the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Often during this journey, the Israelites rebelled and forsook their God and as a result God threatened to wipe them out and begin again by making a great nation from Moses. This is what led Moses to pray those great intercessory prayers on behalf of his people. In those prayers, Moses pleaded with God and reminded Him of His covenant and His name. Moses was concerned first and foremost with the name of God. Moses chose for God's name to be great and not his own! An average football coach (best known for his mantra: "hello, you play to win the game!) once said 'I know my guys are getting it when they care more about the name on their helmets than the name on the back of their jerseys'. In the same way, a sign of God's people 'getting it' is when they care more about God's name being exalted than their own. Moses in his prayers (much like the Lord's prayer) displays that he is getting it and I hope to be growing in this process as well.

Which brings me to my second point on 'dealing with criticism'. Remember that God will use all things (including criticism, ridicule and being misunderstood) for our good. The greatest good that God always has in mind for us is to make us more like Christ. This is called sanctification. While we may find it difficult (what is being said of us) or disappointing (who is saying it), if we receive it in humility God will bring forth growth in our lives.

Next, if you are under criticism remember that you are in good company. Christ often reminded his disciples of this fact. As I teach through the gospel of Luke, I am amazed by how many times Christ was misunderstood and ridiculed. Christ warned His followers that this would be their lot as well.

Finally, if criticism or being misunderstood is 'as bad as it gets for me' than I have it really good. Christ endured criticism, ridicule, rejection, suffering, sorrow and ultimately crucifixion because of who He was and what He taught. His disciples were martyred for their faith and many of the heroes of the faith down through the ages suffered and paid a dear price for their convictions. If the greatest battles I face are "not being liked" or "being misunderstood", I have it pretty easy!

Here are a few more points on handling criticism that come from Kevin DeYoung's book 'Why we love the church':

"How should we handle these criticisms? Well, it's always a good idea to start by listening. As Christians, and especially for those of us who are leaders, we need to take an honest look at ourselves and our churches. We all have imbalances. We all have specks to remove, and some of us have planks. We're kidding ourselves if we think our churches don't have weaknesses. Every preacher has to learn to handle criticism. In addition to a lot of encouraging comments, I've been told my sermons are too long, too boring, too light, too heavy, too Reformed, not Reformed enough, too focused on application, and too light on application. A hard-hearted pastor shuts all this out because he's sure anyone who critiques him is a spiritual nincompoop. That's bad. But so is the people-pleasing, damage-control pastor who rewrites the week's message to make Susie-Ticked-Off feel better. I haven't fully figured out how to handle criticism, but first I try to listen and understand what my critics are saying. Then I consider the source - their attitude, their track record, their motives. Finally, I ask the Lord for wisdom to know if I should pay attention or forget about the conversation." (Why we love the church, pgs. 74-75)

Looking to Jesus!

The other day I received a phone call from a good friend of mine. He called to ask me how I would encourage or advise someone who was questioning their salvation. I shared with him that so often (not always) our lack of assurance is due to the fact that we are looking in the wrong places for assurance. We unfortunately have been taught to look back to some date, time or experience as assurance that we are truly forgiven of our sins. I know that I was often given this kind of advice. Recently I learned from John Piper to stop asking people "have they ever trusted in Christ?" (focus on a past experience or event) and start asking them "are you trusting in Christ?" (present tense faith). If faith was real (back then), then it will still be real today and it will continue to be genuine faith in the future. (perseverance of the saints!)

The other way people often strive for assurance of salvation is by looking within. This is just as wrong as looking back and possibly even more dangerous. This is when we strive for assurance by "how much our lives are changed" or "how different we feel since Christ came into our lives". While the Bible does give us some instruction to "look within" for evidence or fruit that flows from the work of the Holy Spirit's sealing of our salvation, we must remember what it is that truly saves us! The only thing that can save me is Jesus Christ! It is the fact of "who He is" and "what He has done" that I am saved. It is the fact that He is the Son of God and He lived a perfect life in my place and died a sacrificial death on my behalf that puts to an end all my doubts and questions. The best place I will find assurance of salvation and forgiveness is in knowing what God's promises say to me about who Jesus is and what He did in my place.

Well, while I was sharing some of this with my friend I was reminded of a bookmark that I keep in the book that I am currently reading. It is so powerful that I thought I would share it with you:

"It is always the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus. But Satan's work is just the opposite; he is constantly trying to make us look at ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, 'your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you do not have the joy of His children; you have such a wavering hold on Jesus'. All these are thoughts about self, and we will never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: He tells us that we are nothing, but that Christ is everything. Remember, therefore, it is not your hold of Christ that saves you - it is Christ; it is not your joy in Christ that saves you - it is Christ's blood and merits. Therefore, do not look so much to your hand with which you are grasping Christ as to Christ; do not look to your hope but to Jesus, the source of your hope; do not look to your faith, but to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of your faith. We will never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our deeds, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we are to overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by 'looking to Jesus'. Keep your eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession be fresh upon your mind. When you waken in the morning look to Him; when you lie down at night look to Him. Do not let your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and he will never fail you." - C.H. Spurgeon



One final word of warning - while I do believe that the best remedy for doubts and questions comes from going to His Word and saturating yourself with the truth of the gospel, we must remember that some may battle this more than others. It may be that you will battle doubts and questions all of your life. Still the answer is to flee to Jesus and call upon Him humbly saying "Lord I believe, help my unbelief"!

Super Bowl Weekend is Here!

As many of you know, I am a big sports fan (especially football). So, I thought I would start with my take on the big game! I will be rooting for the New Orleans Saints but if I was a betting man (note to the deacons: I'm not!)I would have to go with the Indianapolis Colts. I think their experience of playing in a Super Bowl just a few years ago (and winning) along with Peyton Manning being half human (neck down) and half computer (brain) will be too much for Drew Brees and the Saints.

But that was not the point of my blog.

The other big deal with Super Bowl Sunday is the commercials. This year one of the commercials has become a big deal, and it hasn't even hit the screen yet. By now I'm sure that you have heard about the Pro-Life Tim Tebow ad. If you are not familiar with Tim Tebow (if you have been living under a rock these past 5 years), he is the Heisman trophy and National Championship winning quarterback for the Florida Gators whose collegiate career finally came to and end after what seemed to be a decade instead of four years. Tim Tebow is outspoken about his faith in Christ whether through interviews or his popular Scripture eye black (God grease). This is the black under the eyes that is used to resist the sun, but not the Son! I think pastors should start wearing this on Sundays when they preach! Anyway, Tebow was born into a missionary family, and at the time of his conception, his parents were missionaries in the Philippines. So the story behind the "ad" is when his parents found out they were expecting, the doctors advised his mother, Pam, to abort due to her age and possible complications. And of course, she made the right choice not to abort but to give birth to Tim.

Now to the debates! Obviously, there is an uproar from those who are on the "pro-choice" side. One of the reasons for the uproar is because of the logic and half-truth given in the "ad". While the commercial tells their story, the opposition is saying that it fails to mention that abortion was illegal in the Phillippines in 1987. Therefore, this choice to not abort was really not a choice at all. Pam Tebow would have faced a sentence of 6 years in prison for an illegal abortion. So, in this sense, I can see their argument that the "ad" can be misleading. Although, I think their argument should bring up two bigger issues. One, why is it illegal in the Phillippines to have an abortion and not here in America? Second, if it truly was and is illegal, then why would doctors still have given this advice? It reminds us that while we should "warn" about the issue of abortion and "inform" the uninformed, we must remember that we cannot legislate morality. Only God can truly change hearts and minds on these issues and truly turn lives from living for themselves to living for God and His Glory.

So, a few "not-so-quick" comments:

1. I am absolutely "pro-life" and am completely against any abortion under any circumstance. I know this is hard, but I cannot change what God's Word says about life in the womb. I preached on this last Sunday and hope to become a better influence on our community in this important issue.

2. I truly believe that the alternative to the issue of abortion is adoption. For all the hard cases of rape or teenage pregnancy often the best solution would be adoption. The most difficult cases are when the mother's life is in danger, but we are not the first generation that had mothers lose their life or have their life reduced as a result of childbirth. In fact, my grandmother gave birth to my mom late in life which had a significant effect on her health. I can't imagine my grandmother wishing to have kept her life and aborted my mom. Why is it that parents consider losing a child the worst experience they could ever imagine even over their own death?

3. While I am "pro-life" and appreciate any efforts to "warn" and "inform"...it doesn't mean that I have to like everything that is so-called "Christian". I too have my issues with this commercial put on by Focus on the Family. I am thankful for anyone who promotes the "pro-life" agenda, but we must remember that not everyone who is "pro-life" is necessarily Christian or motivated with the proper motive of glorifying God and making His glory known. I would like to see this shared in what they promote instead of language like "celebrating family", "celebrating life", "families need to be inspired", and "helping families thrive". All of those expressions may sound good, but there is nothing in them that is distinctly "Christian" or "Christ-focused". While I am a "family advocate", family is not to be our primary focus. What is the chief end of man? "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever".

4. While this ad is intended to promote the "pro-life" agenda, I would dare say that it reveals that our thinking isn't really much different than those who say some lives are more valuable than others. Why did Focus on the Family choose the story of Tim Tebow? The idea that it would have been such a "tragedy" if they would have aborted Tim is true...but not because of how popular or successful he is...but because of how wrong and sinful abortion is.

5. Finally, staying with the same line of thought..unfortunately, among Christianity we have often bought into the lie that the messenger is more important than the message. In Christianity, we would do well to remember that God's message does not depend on who it is that is giving the message. Why do we always think that if we can win over the quarterback of the team, then we can win the whole team over? It's as if we believe that if we have Tim Tebow on our side, then the world must stand up and take notice. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Tim Tebow and I appreciate what he stands for and believes. My problem is not with him, it's with a Christianity that thinks that when we get the really cool people on our side our message and influence will be greater. I think this comes from a Christian culture that is always trying to fit in. We want so badly to tell the world that we are relevant. Somehow we think that our relevance is more clearly seen by the athletes, actors, and politicians that agree with us. Maybe I am reacting too much to this "ad", but there is no question that there is far too much of this kind of thinking among our evangelical churches and ministries. Why would Focus on the Family run an "ad" using Tim Tebow when there are so many other better choices? Is Tebow really the best advocate for someone who "almost was aborted"? I like how one "pro-life" advocate puts it when he says that 'truly, we all were potential abortions when we were in our mother's womb because the law does not protect the unborn child'. Any of us who have been born since the Roe vs Wade ruling in 1973 truly were potential abortions and we ought to thank our parents for not making or considering that choice!

If you and I are truly passionate about the issue of abortion and Focus on the Family really wants to have an impact by talking about someone who was almost aborted, why not make a commercial with one of these individuals who were truly "almost aborted".

I hope that you will take the time to read some of these!

Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands

Tonight a new book study begins! The book that we are studying this session is "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" by Paul David Tripp. This is a book that I have been "currently reading" for some time now!! For over a year I have wanted to do this study with our church. Tripp deals with some fundamental issues for why we are the way we are and how we can change. He then takes it one step further in helping us see that we are supposed to be "instruments" in God's hands to help others change as well. This is how sanctification takes place within the life of the body of Christ. It is not up to trained professionals to "counsel" and "fix our problems". God's plan is that the whole body of Christ ministers to each other so that we all mature in Christ. Listen to Ephesians 6 on this subject:

'Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.'

This passage speaks to everyone of us and asks us to be equipped and ready to help a brother or sister when they are in need of spiritual restoration. While doing so, we are to keep in mind that we too at times will need this same care and concern from others. Just because we are not currently "caught in a transgression" does not mean we never have been or that we will not be again in the future. Who better to minister and care for a sinner under guilt and shame than another sinner who has been there before. We are called to bear one another's burdens which is the supreme imitation of Christ our Lord, the ultimate burden bearer!

So, now that you know that you are called to do this, please take seriously the opportunity provided to you to learn and grow in this responsibility. In his book, Tripp helps us with basic skills so that we can better minister to each other and therefore fulfill our responsibilities. Unfortunately, most members of local churches lack the confidence to "counsel" and "care" for others within the body of Christ. My hope and prayer is that God will use this study to equip us to restore one another.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from one of the opening chapters:

“The good news of the kingdom is not freedom from hardship, suffering, and loss. It is the news of a Redeemer who has come to rescue me from myself. His rescue produces change that fundamentally alters my response to these inescapable realities. The Redeemer turns rebels into disciples, fools into humble listeners. He makes cripples walk again. In him we can face life and respond with faith, love, and hope. And as he changes us, he allows us to be a part of what he is doing in the lives of others. As you respond to the Redeemer’s work in your life, you can learn to be an instrument in his hands.”

- Paul David Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands

Book Study Times:
Wednesday @ 6:30 pm - led by Pastor Ron Starcher
Thursday @ 10:00 am - led by Pastor Jerry Croyts

Comfort in Life and Death!

This past weekend, I went to Kingwood, West Virginia for a funeral service for my wife's grandmother Sally Phipps. This would be John Ervin's mother or better known to me as "Grandma Sally". I had the privilege of taking part in the service by giving a eulogy and reading Scripture. The Pastor who officiated the service was very gracious to share the service with me which he didn't have to do. He certainly was capable of handling the service and did a tremendous job of preaching the gospel. He spoke of the comforts that come from God's Word during our time of grieving. A couple of thoughts that he emphasized were:

- the comfort of knowing that we have a Sovereign God who is over and in all things. Reminding us that Grandma Sally's passing was not outside of our Heavenly Father's particular love and care for our family.
- the comfort of the gospel. The good news of Jesus' saving work on the cross brings hope to us in our time of grieving. We do grieve the loss, but not as if there is no hope. Our hope is in Christ whose death and resurrection guarantees life everlasting for those who trust and rest in Him.

And he ended the service by quoting the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism which says, "What is thy only comfort in life and death?"

And the answer: "That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him".

As you can tell, it was a beautiful service and I was blessed to be along side of Pastor Mike Argabrite of Grace Chapel Baptist Church. All of the people of this church were such a blessing as they served our family a funeral dinner and encouraged us with their love and grace. Once again, it was a beautiful display of the body of Christ caring for its own! So, whether in Warren, Ohio with my home church or 4 hours away in Kingwood, West Virginia, God displays His love and kindness through His people. Praise the Lord!

Night of Praise and Worship

Just a quick note to remind everyone of our Night of Praise and Worship this Friday at 7:00 pm. This is a free event that will take place in the sanctuary here @ First Baptist. So come and enjoy the opportunity to draw near to God. There will be refreshments in the fellowship hall immediately following the Night of Praise so this will also be an opportunity for fellowship.

I will probably mention more about our worship leaders after this event...but if you have been around our church for any length of time you will quickly realize that we have been extremely blessed by God with talented singers and musicians. But, it is not their "talent" that I am so blessed by...as much as it is their hearts!

I am very thankful to God for the people who lead our worship Sunday after Sunday. They are a group of humble individuals who have a passionate desire to worship our Great God and lead others to know Him better. While so much "church music" has turned to entertainment and emotionalism...our church has grown in their appreciation for music that is doctrinally sound and that edifies the hearer and glorifies the Savior! As a pastor, I am truly blessed!

So, if you can come tomorrow evening, I know you will be challenged and stirred as we worship God in spirit and truth!

Incline my heart to Your testimonies!

This past Sunday I shared a message on Psalm 119. One of the verses that really spoke to me was Ps. 119:36 "Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!"

All of Psalm 119 is about God's Word. The Psalmist begins the Psalm by saying "Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart". It is this seeking that he prays for over and over again. In vs. 36 he says "incline my heart". The Psalmist prays for God to do a work in His heart that he might have a eager yearning for God and His Word.

As we begin a new year, like New Year's resolutions...it is commonplace within church congregations to emphasize a daily time in God's Word. Which I agree with wholeheatedly. But, what is often missing in these messages and challenges is the prayer of the Psalmist. The Psalmist understood that what He needed desperately is a work of God's grace in his heart that he might yearn for the law of the Lord.

As a pastor, I often hear people say something like "I know I need to be in the Word more" or "I should be reading my Bible but..." - but what I very rarely hear is "I need God to change my heart so that I desire His Word more". But, that is exactly what Psalm 119 is all about.

Begin today to pray and ask God to "incline" your heart to His testimonies. Recognize that God must supply this motivation. We are not naturally "inclined" to long for God and His Word. In fact, just the opposite is true. We are inclined towards everything else...everything that serves our flesh and is easy and brings instant gratification. Notice that vs. 36 brings this out in the second part of the verse - "incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain". Selfish gain!

So while we pray for God to change our hearts...we need to fight against our sinful nature that is so preoccupied with serving ourselves with what feels good and is easy. Our biggest battle in desiring God and His Word, is our desires for everything else. Those desires (although not necessarily sinful) fight against the desire to read and meditate on God's Word.

It is not natural to believe that we desperately need God and His Word to sustain us and protect us. It is not natural to get up each morning with a hunger for the Word of God believing that your soul and your well-being depend upon this nourishment. So, pray for God to do something supernatural in your heart...and mine!