FAIR SUNSHINE

The Christian Pastor's Manual compiled by John Brown of Edinburgh Godly men from the past present a wealth of material for pastors as well as for those training for the ministry. The character, qualifications, and duties of the preacher are emphasized along with the difficulties and snares associated with the office. The priority of preaching Christ faithfully and experientially is held forth as the focal point of pastoral ministry. The Christian Pastor’s Manual was first published in 1826. Tested by time, it remains a relevant and formative handbook on pastoral ministry. Compiled by John Brown (1784–1858) who studied for the ministry in Selkirk under the Scottish Secession minister George Lawson. Brown pastored a church in Biggar for sixteen years, then took pastorates in Edinburgh at Rose Street for seven years, and then at James Hall at Broughton Place for twenty-nine years. Recognized as a true scholar and earnest preacher, he was appointed professor of exegetical theology. Bro...

A short clip from our 56th House Church gathering.  

I would be sharing my library here for the reference of a future soul who would be inspired to do serious personal study on Church history, wherein God gifted particular men to her for her edification and preservation in the way of the truth, and their works have been tested through the passing ages as  theology that is grounded firmly on Scripture and the love of it. Much of the present silliness that has crept into the church and contaminated minds a plenty professing Christian comes from utter ignorance of scripture, and an understanding void of biblical context. Humans are a diverse mystery, and often disagree on the color of the sky so to speak, but that is the benefit of looking back through the lens of Church history, to the works of people used mightily of God to keep us inside His truth.  For now, here are two reading materials I highly recommend regarding types and figures of Christ, and reformed puritan thoughts on prayer. The Glory and Fullness of Jesus Christ by W...

The dear wife of a precious son and brother in Taiwan visited us to fellowship and join us this Sunday all the way from Pangasinan (140 kms). Along with her came these pleasant gifts from the LORD. We have been waiting to acquire these for quite a long while now since stocks of our previous bible titles have gone out of print. This particular version costs twice, but the LORD has always provided for the work and continues to do so. Hopefully we can purchase these regularly from the current source from now on.

This is a huge undertaking for me, to start compiling my personal copy of Keil and Delitzsch's commentary on the Old Testament.  "Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch were Nineteenth-century theologians from a German protestant background. They compiled one of the most comprehensive and extensive commentaries on the Old Testament. Their work in the 1800s is still held in high regard throughout theological circles for its meticulous and sound doctrinal commentary. Their work examines the historical and grammatical aspects of the entire Old Testament in Hebrew in their original context so you can easily follow the textual analysis of its intended meaning in its original language." From accordancebible.com - Both Keil and Delitzsch were German Lutherans. Living in an era that saw the rise of German theological liberalism, both men were well-versed in the scholarship of the day but chose to...

Four of the most influential and profound books in the history of the church, brought together in one hardbound gift set. The greatest works by some of the church's greatest teachers, each of these volumes is characterized by a zeal for honoring Christ in all of life. For pastors, students, and anyone waiting to dive into the riches of faithful Christian writers of the past. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Often rated as important as the Bible as a Christian document, this famous story of man's progress through life in search of salvation remains one of the most entertaining allegories of faith ever written. Set against realistic backdrops of town and country, the powerful drama of the pilgrim's trials and temptations follows him in his harrowing journey to the Celestial City. Along a road filled with monsters and spiritual terrors, Christian confronts such emblematic characters as Worldly Wiseman, Giant Despair, Talkative, Ignorance, and the demons of the Valley of t...

Our three boys took the initiative to step out today. I bless Father for the simpleness of these tender hearts to follow the example of our Lord and unashamedly profess Christ before all. The first group of gentlemen went out around 3PM to labor in our usual fishing hole. Reading scripture twice in two separate spots covering much ground. May the Lord be pleased to bless His work and multiply His glory. The second group of ladies went out by 5PM to distribute the bibles we received from pastor L.A.'s church in Cavite. Since we still have no tracts on hand this meant they would have to engage people one on one, which the Lord was pleased to immediately bring them to this humble soul, who is a lowly but precious believer. Such a heavy cross he bears but the Lord extends His comfort and compassion especially for ones such as he. I will not disclose the details of his life, other than it was not of his doing, nor was it his choice to be begging on the streets, despite suffering a strok...

Why build a library?  I believe there are few worldly investments as worthy as good books. For one, they will outlive me. The cost incurred is very little, a very good trade, if you think of the generations that would benefit from that particular purchase that seem costly at the time. To be able to borrow illumination from the minds that shaped an era, particularly the Reformed era, is precious, not to mention extremely helpful. Seeing that the LORD has placed me in this lot He has also provided the means for this servant to deliver, with discretion and discernment of course.  A wise man of God said, between two men who teach different ideas of one verse, we can look back to 1800 years of church history, and confirm where the minds of godly men collectively stand on the issue. Not that I do not trust modern writers, I am familiar with the work of a few I chose to read. (It is wise to pick what you put into your fruit basket) . But I prefer the Puritans, as they have been test...

Expository Thoughts on the Gospel by John Charles Ryle Gospel of Matthew – 1 Volume As the first Gospel in the New Testament, Matthew was, not surprisingly, the first to be published in J. C. Ryle’s series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (1856). Ryle’s expositions are a rich combination of doctrinal and practical comments on the Gospel text. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts can be used as a help in family worship, or as an aid in pastoral visitation, or simply as a companion to the Gospels in the private reading of Scripture. Gospel of Mark – 1 Volume First published in 1857, Mark was the second book to appear in J. C. Ryle’s series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. The earliest of the Gospel narratives to be written, Mark, says Ryle, ‘is singularly full of precious facts about the Lord Jesus, narrated in a simple, terse, pithy, and condensed style’. Those last four adjectives could well be used to describe Ryle’s own comments on the Gospel! Gospel of Luke – 2 Volumes W...

My long sought after title.  A fine introduction to Puritan preaching, this little book also recalls one of the great turning points in English Christianity for these sermons were preached on the Farewell Sunday in August, 1662, when two thousand ministers left the national Church for conscience sake. Much has been written on that Great Ejection, but nothing is more important than to hear the ejected speak for themselves. Their watchword was:  I preach as never sure to preach again, And as a dying man to dying men.   Wrote Charles Spurgeon, "Those great preachers, whose names we remember, were men who counted nothing their own. They were driven out from their benefices, because they could not conform to the Established Church, and they gave up all they had willingly to the Lord. They were hunted from place to place ... they wandered here and there to preach the gospel to a few poor sheep, being fully given up to their Lord. Those were foul times; but they promised they wo...

The Geneva Series of commentaries from various puritans is a welcome addition to any serious student's library. I am blessed to have these titles in the growing collection. Everything from Banner of Truth is worth reading. Ephesians Commentary by Charles Hodge When Paul came to Ephesus in AD 54 it claimed to be the first city of Asia. Yet today the city is gone; and on the site of the Temple of Diana, which was the rallying-point of heathenism, is a stagnant pond. Ephesus is now known principally for its connection with the Christian Church- for Paul’s visit and his subsequent letter. The epistle to the Ephesians is in many respects the profoundest of Paul’s writings. The grandeur of pagan learning and devotion pales by comparison with the Apostle’s mighty exposition of the truth as it is in Jesus. The great theme of Ephesians is the one church, the new spiritual temple God is erecting of Jew and Gentile. Because of its profundity and scope, it is one of the most demanding of book...