Why do so many people who make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ never leave their sinful ways to walk with the Lord? Dare I suggest it’s because they never were saved in the first place? All too often, the gospel is presented as a way of having peace and happiness in your life here on earth, and acceptance into heaven when you die. That is inadequate at best, and dangerous to both the hearer and the preacher. Not…
Proverbs 22:28 ~ “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.“ In his commentary, Matthew Henry explains that “the landmarks, or meer stones, are standing witnesses to every man’s right,” and to move or remove one of them would naturally lead to disputes and fighting. I would like to make another application here. A few years ago I went back to visit my alma mater, for the first time in thirty years. I could not believe all…
I once saw a church fall apart because the leaders tried too hard to return to the old paths, and in so doing, became legalistic and excommunicated a third of their members. Eventually, they were not able to support a pastor. They disbanded within two years of the initial split. Last year I saw another church fall apart because some of the leaders thought it was not important to stay faithful to the old paths, and thought they knew better…
The first time I read this was two years ago today, the day before my husband Ian’s funeral. “God’s people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and joy.” At the time, I was troubled about the possible effect Ian’s death would have on each of our children – especially Timothy,…
I’ve always wondered why Mrs. Smith chose to teach kindergarten as a profession. She never seemed to enjoy it. Her favourite form of punishment for the smallest misdemeanor was to send a child to stand in the corner — behind the big upright piano. Her victim didn’t have to be a wayward kindergarten pupil. Sometimes it was an older kid, making faces at us through the window. Occasionally Mrs. Smith would forget she had sent someone there. One hapless 7th…
In a few days it will be 16 months since our beloved Ian was called Home to be with his Lord. How am I really doing? A couple of weeks ago I shared this testimony with my church family. I miss Ian so much, but I am in good hands… About a year and a half ago, my husband Ian and I did two things that turned out to be the beginning of something far bigger than we ever imagined….