FAIR SUNSHINE

As I cast mine eyes upon the year's record, now full thirteen months since we first convened to ponder the Eternal Word in February last, a holy wonder doth seize my soul. A humble tally reveals nigh on two hundred assemblies in that brief span! Until this very eve, I confess I grasped not the sheer immensity of the Almighty's mercies, the great graces He hath poured out upon us. Had I but glimpsed this undertaking from the outset, surely, my own timorous heart would have quailed with double fear! Bless the name of the Lord, who, in my protracted season of seeking wisdom concerning our former affiliation, sent me godly counsel—pastors and brethren overflowing with truth, love, and, most crucially, the Scriptures themselves. It would be more sinful to remain when God was bidding me to leave. Better far to be divided by the Truth than to be held fast in unity by error! Our Heavenly Father hath been pleased to bridge the chasm 'twixt holy writ and our present lives, correcting...

On my homeward course, following the pressing duties of the day, as I slowed my pace upon the lonely service-road beside the swift thoroughfare, the Spirit of God did, with sudden and unmistakable force, lay a curious nudge upon my heart: I was to turn right into the solemn quietude of Eternal Gardens! A smile, I confess, played upon my lips, for I knew not the meaning of this gentle command. Slowly, I steered my humble vehicle through the great gates, uncertain if the earthly watchman would permit my intrusion, yet casting all to the wind in that moment of obedience. I did but take the chance, for the Lord's Impulse is ever a sovereign guide! Ah, the silent cities of the dead! My soul doth find a most unexpected affection for these hallowed grounds, these resting places of mortal clay. Many, I know, deem them melancholy, or reserve their notice for the appointed day of memorial; yet to me, they are a spring of solace! Here resides a certain, profound quietude that my spirit craves...

Those that have wisdom, though they are so modest as not to promise much, often perform great things, even against those that are so confident of their strength, by their wisdom.  Good conduct will go far even against great force; and a stratagem, well managed, may effectually scale the city of the mighty and cast down the strength it had such a confidence in.  A wise man will gain upon the affections of people and conquer them by strength of reason, which is a more noble conquest than that obtained by strength of arms. Those that understand their interest will willingly submit themselves to such a wise and good man, and the strongest walls shall not hold out against him. Matthew Henry

Praise God for work. Not work for our earthly means, which we do thank Father for, but work which is for His cause. Christ is not the object of our faith, but the source of it. We do not do this in the hopes of moving up, but that THE work which makes all the difference has already been accomplished on the cross, and we are His offspring.  Father has placed a burden in my heart to take the message of the word out to the public square. To hold services before the people who would rather stay out of church doors. Many puritan preachers who have been mightily used by God were of such spirit. Rather than dispense the word in mere trickles every Sunday to the few in the pew, it would be much profitable for the kingdom to have it publicly unleashed in torrents. I will still have to plead the LORD for this, but the seed is already laid in my very soul. If the LORD wills, then there is great work ahead indeed. My mind was not in the spirit the whole afternoon as I compiled all the verses ...

I have hardly, ever heard from any reformed pulpit, read from any reformed material, or was impacted upon by any reformed preacher, a substantial and relevant dwelling upon the subject of prayer drawn from a deep and intimate experience of its source. Is it because we know little of it? Do we not teach that which we only know? Much of what is floating around what I have been in since I was regenerated revolves around higher thinking and academic theology. Knowing about God, than knowing God. Belief in God, than believing God. Sitting in church, than effecting the responsibility of the church. This is not to say there is little gain in good theology. Truly correct theology is critical in knowing God, and walking in God. Knowing and walking go hand in hand. Most are taught it is perfectly fine just to have one. But study is not practice, as is having a doctorate degree or a pulpit does not equal God's anointing.  I spoke with a pastor once, and he opened up to me, 'Nag-pepray di...

The youth were already waiting for us as we made our way to our beautiful place in the fields. Walking a good distance to gather with God's children once again refreshed me. This is our 30th humble fellowship, and the 6th on our extensive study on the letter to the Hebrews. I have many times proven myself wrong in measuring the message to be quite brief by my estimation, but God by His immeasurable grace never fails to give us more than what we think we need to hear. This day's particular topic seemed for me worthy to be skipped, but as the Spirit unfolded His word the more it left me in awe, dread, and an elevated sense of wonderful hope. Awe in realizing man lost more than his intimacy with God when he fell into sin, he also lost his authority over all creation. Dread in that Satan tempted the woman particularly to steal and usurp that God-ordained authority away from man, thus becoming the ruler of this world. Hope because my Savior is the very One who will restore man to hi...