The most sobering and humbling truth of this frail, mortal life is that we remain so tragically oblivious to the reality that all things have a conclusive end. A specific, appointed moment shall inevitably arrive when we shall perform our duties for the last, final time—be it a service rendered to our beloved families, a word shared with our dearest friends, or a solemn labour for our own souls. The greatest, most enduring happiness is not to be discovered or rooted in the fleeting substance of this present life, though we are permitted to appreciate the mercies we pass along the way. Nay, for true and unspeakable happiness is found only in the Divine Person of Christ, who is not of this world! Everything else beneath the sun, every comfort and every trial, is fleeting and possesses a certain end. But let us hold this truth fast: even Death itself shall have its final, crushing end in the victory of our Redeemer! But where death to self ends, life in Christ begins. To the unbelieving,...

The Whole Christ by Sinclair Fergusson Wading through this gem as I spent 3 hours in a shoot doing nothing but read, I have come to understand what has always puzzled me - the horror most well meaning Christians have when somebody mentions the word "works" and "grace" in the same sentence. The topic is nothing new, and is still far from being realized. This among others confirm what I have always understood: That as unregenerate reprobates we were once in enmity to God and His laws, but Christ has come to reconcile us as new creatures to the same eternal law. Not freed from it, but freed for it. "Since we’re saved by grace alone, does the law of God have a place in the life of a Christian? This perennial question is essential to answer if we are to be faithful followers of Christ. In this series, Dr. Sinclair Ferguson expands on his book and illustrates the biblical relationship between God’s grace and our work. Dr. Ferguson makes it clear that the solution to ...

PPP is the serving ministry of this kind and dear couple, Warren and Angel, whom I have been privileged to meet and know. Half of what I have received in my library came from them. Their vision is to serve the body of Christ by making hard to find books available at a very low price. Here they are at their book table at the previous conference held at Makati. Much of the work of studying Christ is understood to be "the pastor's job". In prominent churches people find it tedious to carry their bibles to church, much less read it, and even less study it. The business of selling books here is a profitable venture, but it depends largely on the subject. Fictional stories rank highest, religious books maybe at the middle, but the farther you go from the norm, the more difficult it is to sell. The subject of Puritanism is almost unheard of here, its value unrecognized. The prospect of selling it, specialized. Yet God still has mercy to make these treasures available to "th...

The Works of Thomas Brooks The definitive edition of the Works of Thomas Brooks, here reissued, was first published by James Nichol in 1866. It was edited by A. B. Grosart. At that time, C. H. Spurgeon commented in The Sword and the Trowel: ‘The volumes now before us are by that marvelously rich author Thomas Brooks, whose wealth of imagery surpasses all others of his age. The mere marginal notes of Brooks are more valuable than pages of ordinary writers; we take pleasure in the stone of his temple, and the very dust thereof we favour. Of all the Puritans he is the most readable, if we except John Bunyan; and if he cannot display the depth of Owen or the raciness of Adams, he leaves them far behind in excessive [unusual] sweetness and sparkling beauty of metaphor. There is a clear, silvery, refreshing sound in the name “Brooks”, and as is the name, such is the man. Every reader who can afford the money should purchase this incorrupt, unmutilated, unchanged, well-printed and perfectly e...

 We are honored to receive this gift from a good brother in the LORD as an addition to the growing library. It is a massive read on such a profound subject that I have heard time and time again in the past that have only recently begun taking seriously. My approach to reading now is not the casual page turning I am accustomed to with regular books, but since providence did not have me enroll in Reformation Bible College I still am inclined to study, howbeit academically, systematically, and intuitively. As I was past my reading plan included on the subject of anthropology and its impact on practical ministry, I came across an important note worth emphasizing.  Pastors need to understand and believe what the Bible teaches them about the people wherein they serve. Shepherds must know their sheep (Proverbs 27:23). While this requires personal relationships as pastors watch over the souls entrusted to them (Hebrews 13:17), it also requires a deep knowledge of God;s word, which is ...

It was of the LORD's providence that my dear wife could not be with us today for ministry after suffering a fall at home which left her incapacitated for two days, this being the third. We have learned to praise God in every instance most especially in unfavorable incidents believing that it is through trials and temptations that our graces are enlarged and strengthened, as crosses become more glorious when Father sovereignly adds greater weight, if only to show us His mighty hand at work. If the saving grace we possess is deemed a most priceless gift from heaven, then we must also confess that afflictions are likewise precious holy gifts sent to cause our graces to flourish. The greatest of all glories is not to glory in self, but to glory in the LORD! True and enduring grace is that faith which hath been purified in the fire. Should I rejoice if a great measure of worldly gold were to be given me, how much more then ought I to rejoice to embrace much affliction, for it is the ve...

Since the early days of this small ministry, Father has faithfully provided for His work without fail. We have been waiting for months for an answer for provisions for new tracts and bibles and He has finally delivered.  Help came in from two of our fellow saints and dear children from Taiwan, Wilma and Mark , both dear children and spiritual offspring of our brother Blaine and sister Ingrid , (Mark's dear wife, Vea, traveled the distance from Pangasinan and fetching the stash of bibles from Baguio to bring it here to Bulacan) - and from our beloved brethren in Christian Word Center in Cavite City, headed by the Lord's faithful pastor, L.A. Cruz , who in behalf of the church sent us a box of new bibles to give away. His church hosts a weekly feeding and gospel ministry to a great number of poor people held inside a cemetery, and goes out to proclaim the gospel to the masses in the parks. And now they have looked graciously upon us for the help we need. Truly, a fellowship wor...

Immeasurably priceless is the LORD's most generous gift to our small gathering with this library comprised of Puritan writings and works. We never would have imagined to even acquire this on our own if not for the His kind hand in having us meet certain individuals who would provide these for us. Even more pleasant are the additional sets coming in the days ahead.  The young gentlemen and ladies of our small yet blessed congregation separated into groups and have commenced their in-depth study on the attributes of God beginning last Sunday and every weekend after that an hour before worship. This will go a long way into keeping us in the straight path upheld through the ages by men used mightily by God who passionately believed that the Holy Bible is the inerrant and sufficient standard of truth by which man is measured, and God builds up His church. Although it is very true that owning great books do not equal to great men, yet great men were raised up on great books. These works ...

Was assisted with power and boldness today, the LORD magnifying his Spirit through my barrenness. There were two unexpected interactions that came this day, one from a cultist braggart who was inviting my daughters to connect with their church and teaching which was clearly the run of the mill prophetic carnival that infests this superstitious country of ours. The other was from a simple soul who received a tract earlier but lingered close to us, waiting to inquire of us if the third temple will be constructed in the end times. I told him it is already up. That the youth in Israel are already being trained in the old ways of animal sacrifice, and proceeded to confess to him the futility and fatality of a curiosity apart from the saving power of Christ. After presenting the law and the gospel to him and leaving him with a bible I took the wife and children to a nearby carinderia by the street for some cheap but full dinner.

We started family devotions when we were holding house church in our previous residence every night on the book of Proverbs. Sadly, it is true that while holding daily devotions with the family requires great effort, it requires even greater effort to maintain it. After finishing our study on the book of Proverbs we stopped, partially due to my work schedule, while the weekly worship continued. There were two instances that I was still out and it was time for our dailies, that the children took the initiative to continue the study themselves. I remember being very pleased.  Family devotions are crucial especially in this day and age of information overload. The mind of the child is being conditioned by the world at their fingertips, and almost all of what they soak in are detrimental to their thought process, and in enmity with the Spirit. I lay the blame of the ever increasing number of worldly children with Christian parents to the absence and negligence of family worship. It ...

We consider the plight of young Russell, a soul barely arrived at the age of fifteen years, and the eighth of ten children born to his parents—his heart already burdened by the recent loss of his seventh sibling. The circumstances of his dwelling are a solemn matter for reflection: their humble, cramped shelter is shared not only by his numerous brethren and his mother but also by his eldest brother and his nascent family. Worse, the very head of this household, his father, is alas, given over to the deplorable affliction of the drink, placing a heavy burden upon them all. This young boy, in the face of such adversity, labors diligently, performing the menial task of assisting travelers with their groceries to the public tricycles. For this honest toil, he gathers a meager stipend of three dollars each day. Upon observing his commendable industry, I offered a solemn encouragement, recalling a time in my own life's trial when I had only secured three dollars for an entire week's...

The Christian In Complete Armor by William Gurnall One of the very first books I ordered from 2017 after hearing Leonard Ravenhill recommend it. Two volumes in one book make for a massive read of priceless insight from the puritan era.  "Arguably the most significant spiritual and biblical theology ever penned from the English Puritan era, the presentation of William Gurnall's (1616-1679) The Christian in Complete Armour in an accessible single volume is certainly a landmark, and much welcomed, event." "According to the Apostle Paul, the world is at war. Not a "hot war" but a war in the realm of the spirit. This war, paul warns, requires special armament, and he explains that armament in Ephesians 6. Anglican cleric Gurnall began to explore Paul's exhortation in sermons and lectures, which he published under the title The Christian in Complete Armor. A perennial best-seller in Gurnall's own lifetime, these teachings became his legacy, influencing...

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...