FAIR SUNSHINE

W e notice also an event indicative of the prominence Whitefield had among the Church Evangelicals. Lord Dartmouth, a highly influential layman, frequently invited Evangelical clergyman to preach at the chapel in his country home near Cheltenham. He also endeavoured to have them, while in the area, preach in the parish church. At times the Rector allowed the use of his church but more often he refused it. Then, in November I757,  ... Madan came to Cheltenham, and was soon after joined by Venn and by Maddock ... Contrary to the expectations of Lord Dartmouth. both Madan and Venn were several times admitted to the parish pulpit. Then came Whitefield, and an immense crowd collected, expecting that he also would preach in the church. Attended by Lord and Lady Dart mouth... the renowned preacher proceeded to the church door. They found it closed against them.      Whitefield, never at loss for pulpits, mounted a neighbouring tomb stone, and preached. The Rev Henry Venn....

Lolomboy I slept but little, and was awakened much earlier than was needful. Yet the conviction to go forth this day rested so strongly upon my mind that I could not put it aside. Having asked my dear wife, who was still unwell, whether she could manage the day in my absence, and receiving her consent, I resolved to set out for that place which had long remained impressed upon my thoughts— Lolomboy Market . We had stood there twice before. 2020 and 2023 . Yet I cannot say that I chose this location today; rather, I felt myself compelled to it. My body was very tired, and I felt I would vomit any moment. The rain had continued throughout the greater part of the week, and by every consideration this was no suitable day to stand in public. Had I my way, I should gladly have remained at home. Such are seasons when conviction speaketh more loudly than comfort. Reluctance in the flesh, I have learned, comes with obeying Christ in the spirit. I knew I must go. Hitherto my custom had be...

I judged it a matter of practical wisdom to preserve my own handwriting as a TrueType font, that it might one day be left unto my children as a small remembrance of their father. It is nowhere near impressive as my father's, it simply says I was here. In this I have often reflected with regret that I paid so little attention to my own father's beautiful handwriting whilst it was still before me. Even as a child I delighted to look upon it. There was a peculiar grace in its long sweeping strokes, its flowing tails, its broken spaces, and its stately capital letters. I once asked him why he did not write as other men did. With a smile he answered, "I write as though I were conducting an orchestra." He was a musician. I understand his meaning now. In every stroke there was a measured movement, every line yielding to the next with something of rhythm and harmony, as though the pen itself obeyed an unseen cadence. I remember how it would flow, then suddenly pause, g...

Journal Entry. 3rd of August, 2026. 3:14 Early Morning. A s my life draweth nearer its close, and the end appears more real than it did in the days of my strength, I find that every part of my life is being quietly altered. My prayers have passed from the continual presentation of my needs unto seasons of stillness, speechless wonder, and holy awe before the God of heaven and earth. The early hours of the morning have become at once the sweetest seasons of communion and the sharpest hours of spiritual conflict. There are few duties against which Satan directs himself with greater malice than prayer. He knoweth well that, when a believer is brought low before God, heaven is pleased to accomplish what all the powers of earth and hell cannot withstand. It is no wonder, then, that he labours with such unwearied diligence to distract, discourage, and weary the soul before it hath well begun to pray. The flesh would have me turn mine eyes unto anything rather than the Word of God, and fill m...

O bando (15.5 kilometers out) was one of the last two places upon my itinerary. Much had changed since I was last here five years ago. The fish port remained, yet at this hour of the afternoon it stood almost deserted. It is not until about one o'clock in the morning, when the fishermen return with their catch, that the place is filled with life and activity. I walked about for a time, acquainting myself once more with the surroundings, and soon perceived that there was scarcely a suitable place from which to address the people. It may be that I shall have to return at midnight, when the crowds are gathered. Yet such a journey cannot be undertaken without thought for my dear wife. I cannot willingly leave her alone at home, and if I go, she must needs accompany me despite her infirmity. I trust the Lord will be pleased to order my steps, and, in His own time, make plain the way wherein I  ought to walk. I departed, knowing not whither I should go next, yet trusting that the...

The Gospel of Matthew. Twenty fifth chapter. Verses fourteen up till thirtieth. One Master. Three servants. Each received according to his several ability, yet none was sent away empty-handed. When their lord departed, two immediately applied themselves to the business committed unto them. The other, possessing an unworthy fear of his master, rendered his talent useless by withholding it from the very purpose for which it had been entrusted. The faithful were commended, not because they had been given much, but because they had proved faithful in little. The wicked and slothful servant, though he had done nothing, presumed even to accuse his lord and commend himself, "I may not have added to what is thine, I have not taken away from it either." Yet the master's expectation remained unchanged: that what had been entrusted should yield increase. So it is with us. Time is the most precious commodity committed unto our stewardship, and yet it is that which we squander ...

Journal Entry. 24th July, 2026. 1:38AM Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Acts 8:4 I n modern Christendom, attendance upon the public worship of God is commonly accounted the chief evidence of Christian devotion, though it is often the least costly expression of a believer's profession. It asks but little sacrifice, exposes us to but little reproach for the name of Christ, and requires but little denial of self (I say modern, for it is different in mountain and tribal regions where believers sacrifice walking for hours for fellowship, barefoot through rivers and forests at the cost of life and limb, and back still without anything to eat) . Yet there is a solemn difference between assembling faithfully with the saints, according to the commandment of Scripture, and resting in that attendance as though it fulfilled the whole duty of the Christian life. I sometimes think of men such as Foxe or Purves, not writing of the theology of ...

I have been young, and now am old, Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread. Psalm 37:25 W e have now been (back) in Peru for one year, as a family of four. When we first arrived in Peru as missionaries, we had no children, and we had only been married for six months. We had also been saved for a very short time. One of the first books that marked our lives and ministry as young Christians was George Muller’s “Answers to Prayer” . This book impacted our lives so deeply, that we asked God to give us the same kind of faith that George Muller had. Many people have said that George Muller had the gift of faith. However, he never considered himself to have the “gift of faith”, but was only obeying what he saw in the Scriptures. George Muller was a man who brought all of his prayers and requests to God, pouring out his needs to Him, and trusting that God alone would impress the hearts of fellow-believers, who in turn would feel the burden, desire, and need t...

Journal Entry. 20th July, 2026. 1:42 AM T he heart of man ever leans upon seeking its worth in that which it can accomplish. Some labor to distinguish themselves by success in their calling, others by the esteem of men, and not a few by an outward diligence in the duties of religion. Even the preaching of the Gospel, if divorced from love towards Christ, may become but another work whereby the conscience seeketh to justify itself before men or to quiet its own uneasy accusations. Yet such pursuits take us very far from true rest. Performance is a master that is never satisfied. The more it demandeth, the more it requireth; and the soul that serveth it soon findeth itself wearied by its labors and embittered by its continual disappointments. No measure of human achievement can bestow that peace which God alone is able to give. But when the soul is brought to behold the love of God in Christ—a love that had its beginning in His eternal purpose and shall know no end—it ceaseth f...

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:5 I t is a wondrous mystery that the thrice-holy God should delight to reveal Himself as the God who justifieth the ungodly. He who is infinitely righteous declareth the guilty, "not guilty." He pronounceth the condemned to be innocent, not by overlooking their sin, but by satisfying His own justice in the person of His beloved Son. The ungodly are those who, by nature, desire nothing of God and have no delight in Him. They are estranged from His life, at enmity with His holiness, and content to remain far from Him. Yet it is precisely such sinners that God delighteth to justify. He doth not wait until they have become godly before receiving them; rather, He justifieth the ungodly, that by His grace they might become what they never could have been by nature. Herein shineth the glory of the Gospel. God is not merely the Judge who cond...