Dear Children and Grandchildren,

I have enjoyed the Word of God more than I ever have since I am no longer preaching 3 or 4 times a week and am not pressed for time. Some times I find things I'd like to share with all of you, or some of you individually. With your mother's encouragement I'd like to start a "Bible Blog" and share some of my thoughts with you. Last night I told Joanna that I opened a can of "Pork and Beans" for supper, (your mother is in Arizona helping Becky while Adam recuperates from a serious operation) but I found no pork so I renamed it "Beans and Beans". With a hearty laugh she wondered if I had "looked under every bean?' I trust what I send you will have some "pork" but if you find it to be only "beans" just push the delete button.

Ps.119:168 "I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies: for all my ways are before Thee," As you were growing up one of the things I was careful to emphasize in our daily devotions was that the time would come when you would no longer be under the eye of Mom and Dad but you would never be out of sight of God's eye. What an encouragement we find here to keep God's Word. "all my ways are before Thee,"

"Experience makes many a paradox plain, and this is one. Before God we may be clear of open fault and yet at the same time mourn over a thousand heart-wanderings which need his restoring hand."--C.H. Spurgeon

"I may hide Thee from my eye, but not myself from Thine eye."--Wm. Gurnall

Friday, November 21, 2008

Blemishes in Christian Character No. 5

Dear Kids,
After reading about No. 4 and being on time, I'm sure many things must have come to mind, like the people who were always late for church, or your mother risking your lives driving to our Christian school in Littleton because she didn't want to pay the 25 cent fine I imposed on teachers for being late. I'm glad your memories don't include your dad ever being late! I give this introduction to remind everyone that the purpose John Newton had in mind was that we might ask ourselves if they are found in us? If we find ourselves guilty of any of these inconsistencies, he says, “It would be well if we could be made sensible of them, and of their ill effects, as that we might earnestly watch, and strive, and pray against them.”

“Blemish no. 5. CESSATOR is not chargeable with being buried in the cares and business of the present life to the neglect of the one thing needful; but he greatly neglects his station. Had he been sent into the world only to read, pray, hear sermons and join in religious conversation, he might pass for an eminent Christian. But though it is to be hoped, that his abounding in these exercises springs from a heart-attachment to divine things, his conduct evidences that his judgment is weak, and his views of his Christian calling are very narrow and defective. He does not consider, that waiting upon God in the public and private ordinances is designed, not to excuse us from the discharge of the duties of civil life, but to instruct, strengthen, and qualify us for their performance. His affairs are in disorder, and his family and connections are likely to suffer by his indolence. He thanks God he is not worldly minded; but he is an idle and unfaithful member of society. Of such, the apostle has determined that, if any man will not work, neither should he eat.”

I am reminded of my years sitting under the preaching of Dr. Bob Jones Sr. He gave us a lot of good practical down-to-earth advice. What comes to mind here is that we were not to be so heavenly minded that we were no earthly good!

Stay close to Him, Dad
Posted by at 10:11 PM