FAIR SUNSHINE

T he word I had prepared for the sheepfold this morning was set aside, for my heart was drawn instead to the first epistle of St. Peter, the first chapter, from the thirteenth to the sixteenth verses. It is often my way to provide but a single message, yet there are seasons when such changes come—as the Spirit bids—right before the message commences. I have learned that when the wind blows in a new direction, it is best to trim one’s sails accordingly. Thus, I shared what was laid upon my soul, trusting that the food provided was exactly what the flock required for the day. It was most fitting for the day that the Bread of Life was broken in two ways: one portion given with much affection for the Lord’s beloved flock, and a different word altogether for the people gathered round. In our chronological study through the life of our Saviour, we found ourselves in the tenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. Mark, from the seventeenth to the twenty-seventh verses. Tho...

B itungol. The third location on my Norzagaray list. When first I surveyed this place, I confess I held but little hope for it; among all the places on my list, it seemed the least likely to respond. How wrong I was. I have proclaimed the Word in many a town, but the reception I found here is such as I have not seen in a very long while. Before me was a row of public tricycles, their drivers loitering about idly waiting for passengers. Yet, as I began to speak, they rose up perhaps, by a curious desire to see what manner of fool had come among them. As the Word went forth, a peculiar silence fell. At one point, I observed several of these men grow quite still, their minds staring blank far into space. So deep was this sudden wandering of thought that they were entirely unaware of the passengers already seated inside, waiting to depart. The earthly business of the road had, for a brief moment, lost its hold upon them. The folk stepped out from their dwellings to see what the com...

I have previously noted how the L ORD , in His wisdom, provided a reason for our return to these parts. This morning, I went to google maps to scout the surrounding area, curious as to where the local roads might lead. My browsing brought me to the summit of a hill barely a kilometer from our day one location. As I looked out, the thought crossed my mind: "What if I were to proclaim the Word here?" That afternoon, I understood—my leaving my Bible behind was the very purpose for which I was brought back to this place. Photo from Goole Map Upon our departure the previous day, a man had come to that very spot to put up a funeral sign—a local practice to signify that a beloved relative has passed. When we returned this morning, the lady of the shop where we stood yesterday gave us a most cheering report. She pointed to the sign and told us that the man who had placed it there had also taken our Bible with him. She directed us to where they might be found, and so we set out...

As we were returning home from our day’s labors, I caught sight of a familiar figure limping slowly along the road. "Ralph!" I cried out at once. I remembered him as a man full of life and health, but the years had surely taken their toll. He seemed quite changed from the man I once knew. We had already passed him by, but I felt a sudden urge to stop. I immediately turned to the nearest parking space. I could not pass him without a word. My wife made a small gift bag and I was most anxious to hand it to him.

My wife and two daughters K & M were so kind as to accompany and assist me, out of their busy schedules, as I step out today. This place appears spiritually cold, firmly rooted in the local religion I suppose. We sought the permission of the authorities at the municipal hall, requesting liberty to use amplification, but were met with a civil refusal. It appears the hall was occupied with hearings throughout the day. We walked toward the market and sought out a corner, an intersection where the people passed through. There, we took our stand.    In our sight, there was little fruit, save for two souls who came forward and a few others who listened from a distance. Yet, it is a place of trade, and the vendors were at their stalls. They heard the Word, and though we cannot see into their hearts, we know the Lord hath His purpose. We simply do as we are commanded. In His kind providence, He hath already provided a reason for our return. In my haste I only realized late ...

It was but some time ago that we gathered together for a book study about how the daily habit of family worship shapes the hearts of our little ones. During our time, the story of Mr. Jacob DeShazer was brought before us—a most encouraging example of God blessing the efforts of faithful parents who greatly desire to bring up their children in the instruction of the Lord.

I would not, by these words, cast a mantle over the whole of Christ’s Church; for the Lord, in His infinite mercy, knows how to preserve unto Himself a faithful remnant—souls who refuse to bow the knee to the fleeting whims of men. (These are mere thoughts one afternoon I spent in the fields alone before the L ORD that I lay for the record.) Yet, as I walked this path, I have seen that religion itself serve to reveal the corruption which yet remains in the very being of man. It matters not how eloquently he may expound the Scriptures, nor how decorated he may be with the honors of seminary; the pride and prejudice of our fallen nature are woven into the very fiber of every son of Adam. We find, to our grief, that whatever our hands touch, we do also stain with our own imperfections. When left to the counsel of our own hearts, we cannot help but bring the weight of our biased experiences into the very fold of the faithful—it seeps into our sermons, our dealings with our fellow man, a...

This dear lad has been with us since the very beginning of our labors for the children. There was a time when his mother took him far away to live with his stepfather in another province, and for a few months we did not know of his welfare. Yet, we kept him ever before the Lord in prayer. In His gracious answer, He brought the boy back to our location again.  At the beginning of this year, we thought it best to move his age group into a more serious Bible study on Knowing God. Since the start of 2025, the church has been in constant prayer, asking the Lord to grant us even just one fruit from this labor—one child who would desire to join us in worship. The Lord graciously answered. Some months before the year ended, one of the lads began asking to stay for worship after every children’s class. He has been in fellowship with us since then. This Lord’s Day, following the message, we sat with the lad for more than an hour, unfolding the precious truths of John 3:16. We slowly ...

February 12 recording, Ezekiel Chapter 2: 1  And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.  2  And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.  3  And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.  4  For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.  5  And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.  6  And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be ...

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  Mat 28:18-20  Consider the golden bookends which bind the volume of our Lord’s Great Commission. Upon the one side, He hath engraved: 'All power is given unto Me.' Upon the other, He hath set His seal: 'Lo, I am with you alway.' Between these two pillars of divine strength lies the whole of our calling. Whatever task the Master lays upon thy heart, whatever cross thou art bid to carry, it must be received with a faith that rests entirely upon His' omnipotence. We do not labor perchance. The victory is already sure in the courts of Heaven, yet it pleased our King to use our weakly hands for its completion. ...

Luke 18:9-14 O ur message for this seventh week of our second set of street meetings finds us gathered once more in the open air  (after every sixth public gathering we meet indoors on the seventh, for the sake of the sheepfold) . After an admonition to always pray and not lose hope, we are brought to that portion of holy Scripture following, where the parable of the proud Pharisee and the grieving Publican is narrated by no less than our Blessed Lord Himself.  The Master did not speak this to all but unto "certain others," pointedly at those who "trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others." (Luke 18:9)  Observe, the folly of self-conceit. It is said that two men went up to the Temple to pray—a holy errand, indeed—but one among them utterly forgot his business. The parable begins with the oration of the Pharisee (It is a most miserable greatness that requires the ruin of another's reputation to sustain itself). The Pharisee measur...