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...