The Business of Christmas

my prayer for you all this year is that the Business of Christmas does not squeeze out the opportunity to strengthen your relationship with those you are closeest to and with the Lord. Let's keep the source of our experiences this year in Jesus Christ. Be encouraged by these words from Chambers.

My experience is not what makes redemption real—redemption is reality. Redemption has no real meaning for me until it is worked out through my conscious life. When I am born again, the Spirit of God takes me beyond myself and my experiences, and identifies me with Jesus Christ. If I am left only with my personal experiences, I am left with something not produced by redemption. But experiences produced by redemption prove themselves by leading me beyond myself, to the point of no longer paying any attention to experiences as the basis of reality. Instead, I see that only the reality itself produced the experiences. My experiences are not worth anything unless they keep me at the Source of truth—Jesus Christ.
From Chambers December 21st

Jesus Christ the Messiah

He is the only Messiah and th eonly one who ever could be. We've seen this through the many prophecies of the Old Testament and we've also see this because of the lineage of Jesus Christ on the past two Sundays. There just would be too many coincidences for the Messiah to be any other than Jesus Christ, son of Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit and adopted by the legal heir to David's throne. It is a truly amazing thought. It is a miracle from the Lord. Jesus is the Messiah, He is the Savior of the world, He is Lord. Is He Lord of your life today? Put your trust in Christ this Christmas. Put him first! Be there on Wednesday as we remember the Lord and Sunday as we look back at the Christmas season and think on what we need to in the new year to serve our Savior.

Looking Forward to Christmas

Christmas Caroling, Friday, December 18th-meet at the Evins house at 5:30 pm. Call us is you'd like to be caroled at.

Special Christmas Program and Service-This Sunday at 11:00 am

Great Advice from Chambers

Today's words from Oswald Chambers are particlarly challenging as he exhorts us to study the Word of God and be able to put it into our own Words. This will make us effective communicators to others.

“Approved to God”

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

If you cannot express yourself well on each of your beliefs, work and study until you can. If you don’t, other people may miss out on the blessings that come from knowing the truth. Strive to re-express a truth of God to yourself clearly and understandably, and God will use that same explanation when you share it with someone else. But you must be willing to go through God’s winepress where the grapes are crushed. You must struggle, experiment, and rehearse your words to express God’s truth clearly. Then the time will come when that very expression will become God’s wine of strength to someone else. But if you are not diligent and say, “I’m not going to study and struggle to express this truth in my own words; I’ll just borrow my words from someone else,” then the words will be of no value to you or to others. Try to state to yourself what you believe to be the absolute truth of God, and you will be allowing God the opportunity to pass it on through you to someone else.

Always make it a practice to stir your own mind thoroughly to think through what you have easily believed. Your position is not really yours until you make it yours through suffering and study. The author or speaker from whom you learn the most is not the one who teaches you something you didn’t know before, but the one who helps you take a truth with which you have quietly struggled, give it expression, and speak it clearly and boldly.

Mike and Melanie Webster-Missionaries to Quebec

We are looking forward to hearing from our missionaries of 30 years, Mike and Melanie Webster. I've posted a short biography of them here. They will be sharing in all of our services on Sunday. They are not only faithful servants of the Lord but dear friends for many years. Let's be there and be blessed on Sunday.

Here is a little info about the websters that I found on their website:

We are Mike, Melanie, Stephanie, Jonathan, and Catherine Webster, serving the Lord in Québec City, Québec, Canada with Independent Faith Mission of Greensboro, NC. Mike is originally from North Carolina and Melanie is the daughter of missionaries to France. We met while students at Bob Jones University, were married in France, and have been on the mission field of French-speaking Quebec since 1986. Mike has a B.A. in Bible and a M.A. in Theology. Melanie has a B.S. in Secondary Education and is currently working on a M.A. in Translation at Laval University. Stephanie , Jonathan and Catherine are currently students at Bob Jones University. Valerie, our oldest, now lives in Greer, South Carolina with her husband Tom Sandquist and sons, Erik and Benjamin. They attend Colonial Hills Baptist Church.

During our 18 years of ministry in Eastern Québec, we saw a church rebuilt, then call it’s own French-Canadian pastor whom we helped to train. In 2004, God led us to Québec City to begin the process all over again with Église Baptiste Évangélique d’Orsainville.

Pictures from our Tree Planting Saturday

Philemon-Love and Forgiveness

If you missed us today-you really missed out on the Word. We learned of a great man of God, Philemon. We also learned of a changed man, Onesimus. Paul tells their story and urges a reconciliation and forgiveness on Philemon's part. It was a great encouragement and challenge from the word. This week is Thanksgiving week and many of us will be traveling out of town. Let's pray for safety for all. There will be no mid-week Bible Study since so many will be gone. But, we'll be enjoying our missionaries the Websters on Sunday. Plan to be there!!!! Pastor Craig

The Place to Worship

Today we had a nice day at our church. We planted 9 trees on the West side. One day these trees will be great shade for our cars in the afternoon. It was great to see some folks out to help us get the job done. Jason Seth and Jillian Moothart helped Caleb, Sam POrter and me get those trees into place. We really want out church be inviting to those who pass by. These trees will help to make our place a great place to come to. Be in the house of the Lord tomorrow. It is your place to worship.

Tomorrow we'll vote to get new carpet into our main worship area. This will really make our Worship area much more beautiful. I'm looking forward to moving forward with this postive project for our church. Be in your place on the Lord's Day.

Update for November 13th, 2009

Today's update:

This week we'll be continuing our study of Titus. In fact we'll hopefully be finishing up Titus 3. Hope you'll be there to fellowship and be encouraged in the Lord. I'm also looking forward to Sunday night as we'll be conducting an important business meeting. We'd like to take care of some new improvements to our faciilty. So far the water situation is standing pat. We'd love to plant some new trees on the west side of the building, though. Consider adopting a tree. We will buy some easy to fill and use jugs so that you can water your tree twice a week through the summer. We'll keep those trees growing until the summer when we'll figure out how to get the water system to them. We'd also like to decide on new carpet for the sanctuary. Please pray on how we should take care of the facility that God has given us.

Be there to serve the Lord on Sunday at all three meetings.

Wednesday we will continue our study of heaven.

The Webster's are still coming on November 29th.

Dates to Remember at TBC

Here are a few dates to remember at Trinity Baptist Church

This Sunday Night Picnic at Mountain View Park
Laughlin, Nevada November 8th at 5:00 pm

Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study 7:00 pm

November 29th, The Websters are here in all Sunday Services

Don't miss any of our normally scheduled meetings:

Sunday School 10:00 am
Sunday Worship 11:00 am
Family Fellowship TBA--normally 6:00 pm

Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 pm

Friday Night Youth Meeting 5:30 pm

Let's Be There on Sunday

Don't let your life get in the way of being in the "House of the Lord" tomorrow-that is November 8th. There should not be anything more important than fellowship with the believers on the day we remember the Lord's death, burial and resurrection. God has blessed our fammily greatly. I believe one of the reasons is our committment to being in church every Sunday. Nothing takes priority. It just doesn't. In fact, a few times when the kids were sick, I had to tell Sarah to stay home. We are looking for the encouragement from the believers on Sunday. Every person, including you has some edifying to do on a Sunday. It has been interesting lately that a few of our visitors that have come lately have stayed late and have been very encouraging. I am encouraged by that as a pastor. I pray that you'll be there to edify the brother and sisters every Sunday. God will be there-don't miss it.

Hebrews 10:25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Trinity Bullhead Updates November 1st, 2009

This is a update to let all of you know that we've decided to make this the official update and calendar of events for our church website. Since we aren't able to update our website easily we've decided to make our blog the place where calendar updates and any other news for our church will be constantly updated. Of course you can access the blog at trinitybullhead.com as usual.

This week our schedule is as usual. Sunday morning November 1st Pastor Craig will be sharing from Titus 1 and beginning a series from "The Small Books of the New Testament: Titus, Philemon and Jude. For Family Fellowship we'll be meeting at the church at 6:00 pm. Wednesday we are continuing our study "Heaven". Don't miss any of our meetings.

Future Updates: There is a couples retreat on November 12th-14th if anyone would like to go. Pastor Craig and Sarah are willing to go if anyone else is.

November 27th-29th we'll be hosting our missionaries the Websters throughout the entire weekend.

Our LIfe-Its just a Vapor

I'll reference this verse later--but in James we read that our life is a vapor and but for a moment. I remember when Tim VanAcker(a friend from high school that dated my sister) preached at our church on this verse. I can't say that I took it so seriously as I do right now. Of course I didn't really have a brush with death--but I had a condition that warranted an early heart attack and quick possible death. God could have given me the strength to overcome what I had and in His grace brought me through the summer, ok. But, each night I put my head down on the coach and struggled sleeping--was an indication that something was wrong and were the results of that Aneurysm. But, yesterday the news was sad. My friend and fellow teacher, LC died by being hit by a truck on the Parkway. Devastating news for those who were closest to here and shocking to those who didn’t' know here on a day to day basis. I know that she was a committed teacher, that the kids loved her and that she was making a difference at MHS for the good. Kids were learning how to be successful in business and other enterprising pursuits. But, more than that, she was a kind encouraging kind of person. She was younger than me by three years. I'm so grieved over this. Did I tell her about Christ in my time with her? I'm not sure that I did. God only knows about her relationship with Christ. I pray that god would use this as something to draw people to the Savior. The Christian kids will have an opportunity that only happens when something like this occurs. I pray that they will speak boldly the Gospel of Christ. Our God is in control.

I'm in my backyard this morning and finding the presence of God once again. i'm reminded of the great song--that encourages believers every day:

When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot thous hast taught us to say
It is well, It is well with my soul.

When Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trumpt shall resound and the LORD shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul

James 4: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Prayer

I was truly blessed by many as I went through this heart surgery in the area of prayer. The many that just told me they had prayed for me or would pray for me or would share my request with their church group was amazing. To be honest, at church prayer meeting sometimes I grow weary of all the "requests" and want to get to the praying. But, this is such a selfish desire. Sometimes you hear of so many that are suffering that you get kind of "oh, just another one to add to my long list". I'm trusting the Lord to be more sensitive to the needs of people, even when I don't know them. I think it was just amazing how so many people knew about my surgery, either before or after, and prayed for me. A couple of things were memorable. Sarah's cousin, Luther, who is just newly taken over his father's travelling evangelist schedule called me from Indonesia the night before the surgery. He right on the phone, prayed for healing. I was touched by his concern. I was transported by ambulance to Vegas and was accompanied by three Bullhead firefighters. One of them, Chief Don Evans, goes back a ways with our church. In the early days his father and their family attended Trinity Bapitst around its founding. Since then, Don has been working for the fire department for many years here in Bullhead. His wife Donna has become a friend since she is our #1 sub at the high school. She agreed to take my classes for as long as I'm gone (a new prayer request). Getting back to the ambulance---As the Bullhead crew turned me over to the staff at the LV hospital-Don prayed for me out loud, in the presence of everyone around. It was kind of a random thing-but probably something he does to encourage believers and non-believers. It was another shot of encouragement. When speaking of prayer I must give thanks to one of the most effective prayer warriors I know, Betty Geant. She made sure my request was spread all over the valley. I was talking to a good friend who goes to another church in town and she told me that they had prayed for me on Sunday in their church service. I automatically knew that Mrs. Geant had expanded the prayer list for my case-what a great encouragement. I am thankful for the prayers fo the saints through my trial. James said it well in this verse I'll leave at the end of this blog. Every time we go to prayer may we remember "availeth much." The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Mornings

Today I woke up early and God met me in my backyard. I hope this will encourage you to seek God's face. Maybe your backyard is your kitchen't nook. late evenings when all the kids are down or a quiet lunch alone. God, though, will make a place for you to meet with him in your "quiet time."

One of the sort of odd blessings of being "down and out" for a few weeks is my mornings. I'm sitting in my back yard-surrounded by grass, a large grape vine that is almost ready to be trimmed back. There are countless birds hanging out in the trees and my cat is chasing any living thing that moves-or should I say prowling. The temperature right now can't be above 80 with 0 percent humidity. It is downright pleasant. No one else is up and its me and the cat, birds and most importantly the Lord Jesus Christ. By the way-the cat and birds as well as chirping crickets and a few barking dogs only draw me closer to my creator today. My mind is taken to "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus. . . And wonder how he could love me a sinner. . ." I also think of the verse about creation that so encourages me in my small existence. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made. . ." the Psalmist writes. "Be still and know that I am God." Right now it is awesome knowing God. Seeing Him work---knowing He is the great designer. Knowing he is the Great Savior. Understanding His great personal love that is always consistent and boundless. I honestly know that without surgery I would not have this moment, right now with God. I would have struggled sleeping-ended up sleeping in-then rushed off barely making it to church or school.

Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Selah
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah

So when I looked up "Be still" this is where I ended up. It just started out as normal morning in shut-tin existence. God took me where he wants me to be in His presence. He took me to a place so that I would be still. As a Pastor who has the work of a pastor, preaching and then a job on the side I usually take the philosophy of my devotions are my messages. I'll probably never abandon this totally to some extent. But, this week--I'm meeting God every morning-He's always there. It may take getting up earlier or getting to bed at 9:00 pm or something--but I need this kind of time with God every day. I'm amazed at the need for this quiet morning. Sitting in the office going through my Bible reading would not bring these truths to light in such a powerful way. God's at work-and "early will I seek Thee."

Home and Trying to be "/contented/ with whatsoever state I am"

When I was younger in the minsistry, I would observe some great brothers and sisters in Christ and their journey through various trials. Over the years I have read James 1 and his encouragement to believers in the "fiery trial." I've taught Paul's words from Philppians 4 that read: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need". But not until this last week have I had to deal with a trial that "I had to rely only upon God." I know that there are many of you that have gone through greater trials than I have. yet dealing with two deaths of the "fathers" in my life was very hard. They were both Godly examples. Finally, though the heart surgery God has put me through a great struggle Not that I haven't had hard things before. But there has been nothing that has made me so reliant upon the Lord than this. The Lord has brought me through various hardships, but none that look you in the face and say--you can't go on one without me. I'm writing to you on this just one week after I was operated on. The surgery was serious. My problem had to be dealt with. Praise the Lord I made it through. Now, for the next six to 12 weeks I will be reliant on God and Sarah, my kids and some of you to carry out the responsibilities that I maintained before. This is God's will. I'll take a another blog to mention prayer (many of you were steadfast in prayer for me). For our church it is God's will that others help more with some of the responsiblities. It is God's will that Trinity Baptist come forth as gold through the trials it is has experienced from death, denial of faith and sickness over this last year. May we grow and walk close with our Lord. May we be be full and abound in Him!!!

Pastor Craig-and his firery trial

Hi everyone,

We sure missed you all on Sunday. Unfortunately I won't be able to be preaching much in the next few months. I'll need God's help for recovery. Yes, I had heart bypass surgery and it was quite an ordeal. The Lord was good and brought me through ok--I'm thankful for his provision of highly trained health care workers that helped me through all of this. The nurses at sunrise were a great blessing and helped through each day with great care. The doctors seemed to know exactly what I needed at the right time. There were many that prayed for me and I could defintely tell that they were making a difference. Even the ambulance driver-who was an old friend prayed for me as he left me at the hospital. What a blessing that was. I'm about to be picked up by Sarah and we'll be heading home. We'll pray for quick recovery. In the mean time I'll be off work, not driving and remaining basically pretty passive here in the next few wees. You all are welcome to come for a visit, though. I'm trusting the Lord in the verse James "the trial of your faith worketh patience." I'm learning alot of that and will in the next few weeks. IN Christ's love. Craig

Check Brother Mike's Post!

I think all of you will be challenged from Brother Mike McCormack's Blog this week. He gives a sad portrayal of how the blessing of God is departing from the United States. I hope you'll got o his blog and let him know that you are appreciating his thoughtful contribution. May God Bless our church. http://maninthepew.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/god-bless-america/

Considering God's Work in the World

So many times as believers we forget our responsibility to the Word of the Lord in other lands. In the scripture, our Lord, in one of His last messages to his followers commands us to be concerned with the Work of the ministry everywhere. Acts 1:8 reads, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Each one of these place names represents a region for believers today. We are to be witnesses in our Jerusalem-Bullhead City area(I use area to make sure everyone knows our community really stretches from Lake Mohave to Needles).

Our Judea is our state-or nearby states. We might make the connection to Arizona, Nevada and California, since Cal and Nev we often visit.

Our Samaria would be compared to reaching out to areas that are not so close. I think practically speaking our Samaria is the United States of America.

What about the uttermost part of the earth? This obviously is the world

Of course, Trinity is greatly concerned about reaching our Jerusalem or our community for Jesus Christ.

We have the opportunity to support our camp which is making a huge impact on lives all over the west. We often give financial support and prayer support to the ministry of International Baptist College in Phoenix. I believe these two minisries are having a huge impact on the West for Christ. I think this covers our Judea pretty well.

What about concern for souls nationwide. Sarah and I support missionaries to the Mormons in Ephraim, Utah. I believe this would be our Samaria concern. Perhaps being involved in "see you at the pole" for our young people would be an opportunity to be concerned about our nation for Christ. Our church prays and supports several Christian colleges that are preparing men and women to serve Christ all over the world. Many of these future servants are preparing to be pastors all over the United States of America.

Finally, we are to be concerned for the world-wide ministry for Christ. God has given us missionaries to support throughout the world. We are currently supporting the Websters ministering for Christ in Canada, as well as the Conners in Mongolia. I believe we need to increase our vision for foreign missions. This summer we have the opportunity to do that as we will be hearing from the Missionary John Kane and his wife who is a missionary to Southeast Asia among the Hmong people. Then, next week Leigh Koerbel's daughter will be with us to share her opportunity for summer missions in the Czech Republic. I hope everyone at Trinity will be in their place to encourage these servants. Not only to lend support throught prayer and financial means, but also to increase your individual vision for reaching a lost world. Let's be there to "be witnesses" in the way Acts 1 charges us.

man in the pew again

This is another try at getting Mike's blog to you through email=here it is.

http://maninthepew.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/living-through-the-barak-obama-presidency/

Man in the Pulpit-New blog by our own Mike McCormack

Hi everyone,
I hope you will check Mike McCormack's new blog. http://maninthepew.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/living-through-the-barak-obama-presidency/

He's posted an interesting article about how we can respond to the Presidency of Obama. It is insigtful, well-studies and challenging. Hope all of you will be there tonight for Part 2 on Satan.

Back to Blogging and Being a Fulltime Pastor

This week is the first week of summer vacation and I'm back at home with a little time to do some things that need to be done-like blogging to the church family. I've got 10 emails that I'm sending the blog posts to. If you got this you are one of those folks. If you don't want to get the email when I creat a new post-then email me or make a comment at the blog that you'd rather not get the email-I'll be ok with it-everyone has their reasons. If you'd like to continue getting the email, I'd appreciate it if you could make a short comment on this post-just so I know you are out there. Here are the directions for commenting:
1. Choose the comment button at the end of the post.
2. Type your comment in the comment box.
3. Type in the word verification
4. Choose the buttone Name/URL
5. Choose preview or publish-if preview then later choose publish and your are finished.
Thanks for doing this!!!! Now for my blog-----

God has been greatly blessing our church recently in many ways. As a working/tentmaking Pastor I have been blessed to see many of you help with the burden of the many tasks that need to be taken care of in our ministry. When we are all working together and sharing the load it really makes a difference. Recently, some of you have pitched in to help greatly with the burden-what a great blessing.

Also, we have been seeing many visitors come through our doors. I challenge all of you to try your best to catch the new folks before they can leave and make them feel welcome. As a small church it really is not the that hard to find the visitors and shake their hand and give a word of encouragement.

Another matter for prayer and concern-is work projects that we'd like to see accomplished. We are praying and discussing the best way to use the funds given in Pastor Ken's name. Please give the men in our church wisdom to help us in this endeavor.

Finally, let us be praying for the summer ministries and activities that we are working on. The minsitry of evangelism, of course, is very important. There are still some fairly regular attendars that we are still not sure of their salvation. Please pray for these ones. We have our camp weeks coming up. Pray for the fundraising activities-which are needed to get everyone that needs to go to camp. God has blessed us in our endeavors. We have actually seen one person come to church who we made contact with at the car wash. Let us also pray for our young people to grow in the Lord and respond to the Gospel while at camp.

If you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to email me about them. I'd also love to hear your comments. In Christ, Pastor Craig

The One and Only Gospel of Jesus Christ

Today we continued our study of Corinthians and we looked at the first part of the 15th chapter. Most people like to call this the definition of the gospel. My Outline consisted of four simple points--1. The Prediction of the Gospel (we looked at prophecty) --2. The Process of the Gospel--3. The Evidence of the Gospel--4. The Practice of the Gospel. The last few verses of this passage helped to make things practical. In verse 8-11, Paul speaks of how he was the least of the Apostles and the most unworthy, "but by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain;" Paul was transformed by the Gospel. He went from persecutor and enemy of God to the greatest influence for the cause of Christ in the New Testament. It was by God's grace. God's amazing grace is the gospel. My vow is to be a gospel preacher no matter what. My goal for our church is that we are a gospel church and no matter what else we do we preach the Gospel. We may disciple, give counsel, teach doctrine, etc. , but we must always be proclaiming the Gospel message amidst everything else we do. Paul, here, emphasizes the Gospel. May we also go forth proclaiming this glorious message wherever we are.

Pastor Kenneth Evins-With the Lord

With joy and sadness I write this tribute to our beloved pastor and my father, Pastor Kenneth Evins, who went to be with Jesus on February 21st, 2009. My dad battled cancer for the last two years, but his time finally came to be in the presence of the Lord. I'll miss my dad. He was a tireless worker who really cared about people. His greatest desire in life was to point people to the Savior. He spent his life in ministry-preaching the Word of God and being a witness for Christ. He loved me unconditionally and was always giving up his desires for mine. Even as an adult, my dad would stop everything to come bail me out of a difficulty I might be having. He always had an answer to the problem and could figure out how to fix anything. We will miss our Pastor. Pastor Ken started Trinity Baptist Church and pastored the church for over 29 years. He also was the first Pastor at Riviera Baptist Church back in 1969. He will be greatly missed by all of us. Today my dad truly can understand his life's verse-Phil 1:6. "Being confident of this very thing. that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ." The Day of Jesus Christ has been fufilled for my dad, Pastor Kenneth Evins.

Salvation In No Other from Spurgeon

Well, it's been a while since I posted. Today, though, in reading from Phil Johnson's blog he posted this excellent article from Spurgeon. It is amazing to read Spurgeon-because sometimes it seems like he is sitting and watching the way of "the church" in American today. The things that he warns about have not changed. Just read this article---it will make you think--

The Intolerance of True Religion
Your weekly dose of Spurgeonposted by Phil Johnson
The PyroManiacs devote some space each weekend to highlights from The Spurgeon Archive.

The following excerpt is from "The Way of Salvation," a sermon preached Sunday morning, August 15, 1858, at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens.

"Neither is there salvation in any other."

Did you ever notice the intolerance of God's religion? In olden times the heathen, who had different gods, all of them respected the gods of their neighbors.For instance, the king of Egypt would confess that the gods of Nineveh were true and real gods, and the prince of Babylon would acknowledge that the gods of the Philistines were true and real gods: but Jehovah, the God of Israel, put this as one of his first commandments, "Thou shalt have none other gods besides me;" and he would not allow them to pay the slightest possible respect to the gods of any other nation: "Thou shalt hew them in pieces, thou shalt break down their temples, and cut down their groves."All other nations were tolerant the one to the other, but the Jew could not be so. One part of his religion was, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is one God;" and as the consequence of his belief that there was but one God, and that that one God was Jehovah, he felt it his bounden duty to call all pretended gods by nicknames, to spit upon them, to treat them with contumely and contempt.

Now the Christian religion, you observe, is just as intolerant as this. If you apply to a Brahmin to know the way of salvation, he will very likely tell you at once, that all persons who follow out their sincere religious convictions will undoubtedly be saved. "There," says he, "are the Mohammedans; if they obey Mohammed, and sincerely believe what he has taught without doubt, Alla will glorify them at last."

And the Brahmin turns round upon the Christian missionary, and says, "What is the use of your bringing your Christianity here to disturb us? I tell you our religion is quite capable of carrying us to heaven, if we are faithful to it."Now just hear the text: how intolerant is the Christian religion! "Neither is there salvation in any other."

The Brahmin may admit, that there is salvation in fifty religions besides his own; but we admit no such thing. There is no true salvation out of Jesus Christ.The gods of the heathens may approach us with their mock charity, and tell us that every man may follow out his own conscientious conviction and be saved.We reply—No such thing: there is no salvation in any other; "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."Now, what do you suppose is the reason of this intolerance—if I may use the word again? I believe it is just because there is the truth both with the Jew and with the Christian. A thousand errors may live in peace with one another, but truth is the hammer that breaks them all in pieces. A hundred lying religions may sleep peaceably in one bed, but wherever the Christian religion goes as the truth, it is like a fire-brand, and it abideth nothing that is not more substantial than the wood, the hay, and the stubble of carnal error.All the gods of the heathen, and all other religions are born of hell, and therefore, being children of the same father, it would seem amiss that they should fall out, and chide, and fight; but the religion of Christ is a thing of God's—its pedigree is from on high, and, therefore, when once it is thrust into the midst of an ungodly and gainsaying generation, it hath neither peace, nor parley, nor treaty with them, for it is truth, and cannot afford to be yoked with error: it stands upon its own rights, and gives to error its due, declaring that it hath no salvation, but that in the truth, and in the truth alone, is salvation to be found.Again, it is because we have here the sanction of God. It would be improper in any man who had invented a creed of his own, to state that all others must be damned who do not believe it; that would be an overweening censoriousness and bigotry, at which we might afford to smile; but since this religion of Christ is revealed from heaven itself, God, who is the author of all truth, hath a right to append to this truth the dreadful condition, that who so rejecteth it shall perish without mercy; and in proclaiming that, apart from Christ, no man can be saved. We are not really intolerant, for we are but echoing the words of him that speaketh from heaven, and who declares, that cursed is the man who rejects this religion of Christ, seeing that there is no salvation out of him.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."Now I hear one or two persons saying, "Do you imagine then, sir, that none are saved apart from Christ?"I reply, I don't imagine it, but I have it here in my text plainly taught."Neither is there salvation in any other." A man may seek after it and labor after it in his own way, but there he cannot possibly find it, "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Back to Blogging and oBama

It has been way too long. But it is Veteran's Day, I'm off school, and I just canceled a work opportunity for Caleb and me (which I am glad about), since I was hoping to relax and get caught up with school work. So, I'd like to reflect on the new President. I hear Christian conservatives make such disrespectful comments about our new President. And if they aren't making disrespectful comments they are making "gloom and doom" comments. Granted, a liberal socialist leaning President could mean some dangerous changes for the USA, but I'd like to make the case for Christian conservatives to follow the Biblical mandates regardless. What does the Lord ask us to do? He wants us to "honor the King" and "give tribute where tribute is due" among other things. Another important aspect of our reaction to the new administration, is to be true believers in the idea that God is Sovereign and he continues to be in control of the affairs of men. We know he knows the future and we must trust him through every step. Of course, let us never give our vigilance to oppose Anti-Biblical actions of any government entity such as abortion or Homosexual rights, but on the other hand may we show the proper respect for authority. Kevin Bauder excellently explains this in more detail at this link. I hope you'll check it out. http://sharperiron.org/2008/11/11/what-next/#more-3219

Free Indeed

It has been a while since I posted. Other things in life have taken a priority. But this morning I was blessed. Don't ever let anyone tell you that being a Christian is somehow too restrictive-it just isn't true. The real truth is freedom in Christ. This is what Spurgeon has to say--
The liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free."—Galatians 5:1.
HIS "liberty" makes us free to heaven's charter—the Bible. Here is a choice passage, believer, "When thou passest through the rivers, I will be with thee." You are free to that. Here is another: "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee"; you are free to that. You are a welcome guest at the table of the promises. Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven; you may draw from it as much as you please, without let or hindrance. Come in faith and you are welcome to all covenant blessings. There is not a promise in the Word which shall be withheld. In the depths of tribulations let this freedom comfort you; amidst waves of distress let it cheer you; when sorrows surround thee let it be thy solace. This is thy Father's love-token; thou art free to it at all times. Thou art also free to the throne of grace. It is the believer's privilege to have access at all times to His heavenly Father. Whatever our desires, our difficulties, our wants, we are at liberty to spread all before Him. It matters not how much we may have sinned, we may ask and expect pardon. It signifies nothing how poor we are, we may plead His promise that He will provide all things needful. We have permission to approach His throne at all times—in midnight's darkest hour, or in noontide's most burning heat. Exercise thy right, O believer, and live up to thy privilege. Thou art free to all that is treasured up in Christ—wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It matters not what thy need is, for there is fulness of supply in Christ, and it is there for thee. O what a "freedom" is thine! freedom from condemnation, freedom to the promises, freedom to the throne of grace, and at last freedom to enter heaven!

Looking Forward to Heaven

This is a great article from a Pastor on his way to be with His Lord. What a blessing as he looks forward to heaven.

Cabbages and Kings
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Of Death and Grace
by Rev Jacob D. Eppinga
I am dying. Of cancer. This past Christmas was my last. Spring always has been my favorite season. At this writing, I hope to see the spring of 2008. Since childhood, I have loved baseball. Today my marvelous palliative-care physician told me there is a chance that I will watch my dear Detroit Tigers on television on opening day. But that I will not see the World Series.
To paraphrase a great English observer of human nature, Samuel Johnson, the prospect of dying focuses one’s thinking. What follows are some of my thoughts about death.
Primary among them is this: I don’t want to die. Even though I have lived 90 years, two decades beyond the biblical three score and ten, I want to live. There are things yet that I want to do. People to see. Sermons to preach.
Also, I’m scared. Does it surprise you that a minister of the Christian Reformed Church is scared of dying? As a Christian, I do not fear death; still, I fear dying. How much will dying hurt? On a chart of 1 to 10, my pain threshold is a -100.
And I’m scared of something else—the money running out before life runs out.
Most of all, I’m scared about what will become of Anne, my beloved wife, who can’t hear or walk or remember. For years I’ve asked God to let me outlive her, so I can take care of her until her home-going. Then, I have told him, I could go to my grave in peace.
But God has not answered my prayer in the fashion I have requested. My son says that God has, really, because so much of Anne already has been taken (although not her sweet disposition). I am not convinced by this line of reasoning and find but small comfort in it.
Those are the big things. There also are smaller things.
For example, I struggle with disappointment and embarrassment. Always having taken care of my family and myself, now others have to take care of me. My body is failing. My mind, too, is not as sharp as it used to be—particularly because of the medications for pain. (Still, even in this, I am forced to admit that I have reason for giving thanks. Our attentive children love their mother and father. And daughter Sue, upon ending her teaching career, has devoted herself to the care of her parents. And there is a special caregiver named Mary Ellen.)
Over my 63 years of ministry, I’ve been a pastor as well as a preacher. I’ve counseled parishioners, tried to comfort them, and conducted hundreds of funeral services. (I’ve always welcomed funeral services because, unlike at weddings, those in attendance actually listen to the Christian message, focused as they are for the moment upon their own mortality.) Now, however, it’s my minister who counsels me, comforts me, and plans with me the details of my own funeral service.
And I ask myself, why do bad things happen to good people? Why me? Why now? There’s so much for me yet to do.
Early in my ministry I attempted to answer that question, as it was posed to me by a grieving parent, a dying mother, a devastated family, a stunned congregation. But soon I came to recognize that my answers were unconvincing and maybe even misdirected.
Now I am older, I hope wiser, and facing my own death. I try to answer that question—Why do bad things happen to good people?—with three points. (Are you surprised?)
First is a simple admission: I do not know. “There you have it, plain and flat,” as poet John Greenleaf Whittier once wrote.
Second is a story that gives me just a tiny glimpse into an answer. I will be edified if it does the same for you. Here it is:
When I was a boy, I feared going to the dentist. My father took me there anyway. When I was sitting in the chair, my father near me, I begged my father to rescue me from what lay ahead. My father did not do so. Instead he told me that he loved me and that I would be all right. After that, all I could do was trust my father. My father knew what was above and beyond my understanding at the time—that I needed to go to the dentist.
In a similar fashion, tragedy and death are above and beyond my understanding. I pray for God to take them away. For some reason, God doesn’t answer my prayers in the ways I want.
But here’s the point: Above my understanding. But not God’s. He loves me, this I know, so all I can do is trust him, my only comfort in life and death. My father knew, and my heavenly Father knows, things that were and are beyond my comprehension.
Third is my main point: As important as is the question about why God allows bad things to happen to good people, it is not the most important question in life. The most important question in life—in all the world and in all the universe, for that matter—is, rather, “Why does God allow a good thing to happen to bad people?”
I am a sinner—a bad person. Yet my Father gave his only Son for me—a very good thing indeed.
During a lifetime of ministry, I have heard the last words of many of my parishioners. One does not forget such things. The person whose last words I’ve been reflecting upon the most these past weeks is William Harry Jellema, a professor of philosophy at Calvin College and arguably the greatest mind in the history of the Christian Reformed Church. His last words—simple but not simplistic—were, “It’s grace, Jake; it’s all grace.”
Think of it! The enormous intellect that was William Harry Jellema condensed the entire Bible, all of theology, and every last Reformed creed and confession into just one word: grace.
Thus the title of my last Banner article, my last “Of Cabbages and Kings” in a series stretching 40 years, is not “Of Death,” but “Of Death and Grace.” Of all the words I have shared with you over all the decades in these pages, dear readers, the ones I would leave with you are . . .
“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Amen.
“The time has come,” the Walrus said,“To talk of many things:Of shoes—and ships—and sealing wax—Of cabbages—and kings—And why the sea is boiling hot—And whether pigs have wings.”—Lewis Carroll, “The Walrus and the Carpenter”From Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872“The time has come,” our Savior said,“To show you many things:The face of your Almighty God—And Jesus Christ, your King—And that the streets are paved with gold—And angels do have wings.”—Deanna Eppinga DeVries“For Dad: Welcome to Heaven,” 2008
Author
Rev Jacob D. EppingaRev. Jacob D. Eppinga was pastor emeritus of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He went to be with his Lord March 1, 2008. This column concludes his popular “Cabbages and Kings” series, which he wrote for 40 consecutive years. Watch for It’s All Grace, a collection of his best and more recent columns to be published in book form this fall by Faith Alive Christian Resources.

Upcoming Dates and Sunday's Message

We were challenged from 1st Corinthians on Sunday. We learned of Paul's discussion of growing in Christ. We should strive after "the meat" or greater Spiritual knowledge and wisdom. We need to move from the "milk" and grow into a more mature relationship with Christ. This is all found in 1st Corinthians 9. There were a couple of principles that Paul challenged us with. One was to not let pride get in the way of our growing in Christ. We must also not become man-centered in our growth. His challenge was to not let a great preacher take the place of our relationship with the Lord Jesus. Paul also challenged us to be in unity with each other in doing our part in service for Christ. Paul is not devoid of vivid illustrations in this passage and ends with the word picture of a builder and farmer. We are to till the field of Christian growth and build a Biblical foundation. This leads us to this Sunday-I hope all of you will be in your place. The rest of chapter 3 deals with Christ the true Biblical foundation-I can't wait to see what the Lord will teach us from His Word. Bring a friend to hear God's Holy and inspired Word.

Sunday night we will try for a picnic at the River Park-weather permitting.

Upcoming dates---September 6th-camp out at the Haulapais and then youth service on Sunday the 7th in the mountains.

With God You Can Overcome

I thought these words from Spurgeon might be encouraging to all of us-

August 20

Deliverance Not Limited

He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. (Job 5:19)

Eliphaz in this spoke the truth of God. We may have as many troubles as the workdays of the week, but the God who worked on those six days will work for us till our deliverance is complete. We shall rest with Him and in Him on our Sabbath. The rapid succession of trials is one of the sorest tests of faith. Before we have recovered from one blow it is followed by another and another till we are staggered. Still, the equally quick succession of deliverances is exceedingly cheering. New songs are rung out upon the anvil by the hammer of affliction, till we see in the spiritual world the antitype of "the Harmonious Blacksmith." Our confidence is that when the Lord makes our trials six, six they will be and no more.

It may be that we have no rest day, for seamen troubles come upon us. What then? "In seven there shall be no evil touch thee." Evil may roar at us, but it shall be kept at more than arm's length and shall not even touch us. Its hot breath may distress us, but its little finger cannot be laid upon us.

With our loins girt about us, we will meet the six or the seven troubles and leave fear to those who have no Father, no Savior, and no Sanctifier.

Grace and Providence from Spurgeon

Lately I've been reading in the mornings from the inspiring British preacher, CH Spurgeon. His writings are very encouraging. This morning I've been especially enlightened at the wonder of God's Grace. Here it is-

MORNING
“Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”
- Ephesians 1:11
Our belief in God’s wisdom supposes and necessitates that he has a settled purpose and plan in the work of salvation. What would creation have been without his design? Is there a fish in the sea, or a fowl in the air, which was left to chance for its formation? Nay, in every bone, joint, and muscle, sinew, gland, and blood-vessel, you mark the presence of a God working everything according to the design of infinite wisdom. And shall God be present in creation, ruling over all, and not in grace? Shall the new creation have the fickle genius of free will to preside over it when divine counsel rules the old creation? Look at Providence! Who knoweth not that not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Father? Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. God weighs the mountains of our grief in scales, and the hills of our tribulation in balances. And shall there be a God in providence and not in grace? Shall the shell be ordained by wisdom and the kernel be left to blind chance? No; he knows the end from the beginning. He sees in its appointed place, not merely the corner-stone which he has laid in fair colours, in the blood of his dear Son, but he beholds in their ordained position each of the chosen stones taken out of the quarry of nature, and polished by his grace; he sees the whole from corner to cornice, from base to roof, from foundation to pinnacle. He hath in his mind a clear knowledge of every stone which shall be laid in its prepared space, and how vast the edifice shall be, and when the top-stone shall be brought forth with shoutings of “Grace! Grace! unto it.” At the last it shall be clearly seen that in every chosen vessel of mercy, Jehovah did as he willed with his own; and that in every part of the work of grace he accomplished his purpose, and glorified his own name.

Monday Reminders

This is a update blog for all of you brothers and sisters in the Trinity family. Please be in prayer for a few matters. Our friend, Harold Coleman is in the hospital and battling lung cancer. Please pray that God would provide for his dire needs at this point in his life. Also, pray for peace and perseverance through this time of trial. Crystal and Steve also need prayer as they help him out in his illness and recovery. Pray that God gives His grace. Our sister Sarah Peters needs similar prayer as she battles cancer. Pray for Ken as he gives care. Pastor also needs prayer for healing in his life. Praise the Lord there is no spread internally of his skin cancer. But, he now must go through another round of radiation. We all know how that affected him this last year.

In other matters we are continuing our study of 1st Corinthians. We looked at chapter 1 and verses 10-17. The passage is all about following God not man. Paul mentions three great Bible teachers and is disappointed that the Corinthians were following these men rather than keeping their eyes focused on the Lord. I believe this passage is important for American Christians. We are bombarded with the megapreachers of megachurches. Man of these men are not preaching the whole counsel of God and have distorted the Gospel for their own gain. I'm being general here as to not lump all radio preachers in one big lump. But, some of the most famous of the tv preachers are in the midst of preaching doctrine that is unbiblical and should be pointed out as heresy against true Biblical Christianity. We need to be discerning! I urge you to stay in your Bible and be like the Bereans and "search the scriptures".

Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Home At Last

Praise the Lord we (Pastor Craig, Jeanette, Caleb, and Esther Rose) arrived home safe and sound from a grand trip to the Mediterranean region. God blessed us and gave us a relaxing but exciting trip. We made it a pretty long adventure. In fact the 7 weeks we were gone is the longest Sarah and I have been gone since we've been married.

As we were gone God used others to minister in a fantastic way for the Lord. The two young men from IBC were, from what I hear, oustanding and great encouragers in the Lord. My Brother-in-Law Ken came and encouraged the believers and got our new projector operational and ready to use and of course our own Lee Cooper, Steve Braun and Dad carried on the work of the ministry in a excellent and Biblical way.
Sunday was my first Sunday preaching since I went away. I preached in chapel but never was able to preach on Sunday morning.

I was excited to start a series on 1st Corinthians. Sunday I introduced our people to the Corinthians. We were challenged about how the Corinthians walk was filled with challenges from the World. They are not unlike the church today. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to "perfectly framed together". May we avoid the pitfalls that the Corinthians struggled with and put aside the world and live a dynamic separated life for Christ.

Please Pray for our kids at Camp Ironwood. There are some that need to accept Christ as Savior. Let's pray every day that God would convict and encourage. Also, don't forget to send the kids an email. Go to the ironwood.org for instructions on how to send a note to one of our campers. The campers are: Andy Dell, Caleb Evins, Kolby Bly, Jeanette Evins, Samantha Craig, Crystal Waters, and Britny Waters.

Another Congrats for Scott B.

Check out the article in the MV News about our champion Little League team. If you squint you can see Scott in the picture. Congratulations to Scott and the team. They will be off to the state tournament next. Good Job.

Germany Quick Trip

So many of you may be wondering what in the world are you doing in Berlin, Germany? The slide show may have caught you by surprise. Well, Mrs. Esther ( my mother-in-law) was about to go back to the states for a short tip and needed someone to take her to catch the airport in Frankfurt. I was nominated to do it. It was much less of a cost to stay for four days. I had the time so I planned a trip. I enjoyed taking the train around and visited three cities: Wittenburg, home of the Reformation; Berlin, filled with tons of important history and Frankfurt, a very modern interesting city. The slide show shows mostly Berlin. I tried to include pictures that represented phases in its history beginning with reference to Kaiser Wilhelm, the leader of the Germans in World War I to the present.

The most memorable part of my visit in Berlin was looking at the places where the Berlin Wall had been. Just 19 years ago the city was divided. In fact, Germany was divided into East and West. The West was basically a free democratic government and the East was a Soviet backed communist controlled totalitarian state. The people had no 1st Amendment type freedoms. There was no free speech, press, assembly nor religion. The communists had total control of the people. What made Berlin unique was that it was a city that was wholly in the East-around 100 miles I believe inside East Germany. But, the city became a divided city. The United States was not willing to let the Soviets take all of Berlin, because it was such an important city. So a wall was built and the city divided. More than any other place in the world it represented the Iron Curtain. The reasons were because the western part of the city was sealed off in the middle and all around with a lone road that led to West Germany. It uniquely was a haven for freedom in the middle of a Soviet block country. Many East Berliners tried to escape. Some succeeded and some failed. Many were shot in doing so. The border was well-protected by both sides.

The rest you might say is history. The Soviet Union fell apart and so did the Berlin Wall in 1989. There were huge celebrations the night the wall fell. I remember seeing live the first section falling to the ground. Berliners from both East and West celebrated as the cities united again for good.

Being in Berlin now is amazing. All that's left of the wall is purposely left parts to memorialize the struggle. I enjoyed looking at the outdoor museum with pictures and text of the history of the wall. Particularly I remember the Berlin air-lift crisis when President Kennedy stood down the Soviets and then later went to Berlin and said "I am a Berliner." And then seeing the picture and reading the text of Ronald Regan's great speech when he asked President Gorbachev to "tear down this wall." It has been one of history's greatest struggles for freedom and seeing the city really challenged me about being thankful for the freedom we have in the USA. We should never be complacent about the government of the people that we have in our home nation.

Freedom in Christ: there is nothing like it. Perhaps a great illustration would be the East Berliners who experienced the feeling of freedom back in 1989. We can truly trust the Lord Jesus Christ and believe that His redemptive work has made us free from the chains of sin and certainty of Spiritual death.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

Charles Wesley, And Can it Be, 3rd verse

Berlin, Germany and the Wall

Witnessing and Islam

Today we went to the seafront and passed out a few gospel tracts. Cyprus is filled with workers from India, Ceylon and Banlgadesh. These folks speak their native language and often times pretty decent English. As we were roaming around giving out tracts to those who would accept them, I came upon a man from Bangladesh. This man was a Muslim. I asked him if he was good enough for heaven. He then started on explaining how Christianity was "not relevant" anymore. He made this claim based on the worldliness of "Western Culture" that he said Christianity accepts without any reservation.

I tried my best to steer him back to his own sinful condition and his need of redemption through Christ, but he continued to complain about the sinful culture that indeed does surround us in this 21st century world. Before we parted I was able to explain how true Bibllical Christianity is all about Grace and the redemption that comes only through Christ's blood as opposed to the cold, negative religious system of Islam which is based on keeping very strict laws and religious customs. I tried to show him that a true Christian won't be affected by the worldliness of "Western Culture". I don't think I got very far with him. I pray, though, for the seed that was planted.

Sadly, I had to agree with part of what this Bengali man was saying. Western Culture has done great damage to the standing of true Biblical Christianity. In an attempt to reach out and get "in touch" with the sinner, I'm afraid American Christians have let the world affect their own personal walk with Christ. Don't get me wrong, we need to take the gospel to every creature, no matter who they are. But, must we act like the "world" to do this? Shouldn't the righteousness of Christ have a life-changing impact on the lives of sinners who are converted? These are questions I hope all of you will contemplate. Let us reach the world for Christ, but at the same time, let us preach a life-changing gospel that puts to death the sinful lifestyles of a lost world.

I John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him

Refugees and Border Crossings

Well, we've been busy here in Cyprus for the week of the 4th of July. Sorry for the lack of posts this week. But, we were out and about. In fact we were all over the island. We saw some amazing sites. You probably are wondering about the title of my post. Most people don't associate such words with the peaceful island of Cyprus. There is a history of conflict on this island paradise that you would never notice if you just came for a weekend holiday at one of the plush resorts along the sea in Limassol. This week I got to see first hand some interesting history of the conflict in Cyprus.

We got to see the north this week. It was Sarah's first time since 74 that she's been able to go to the north. Wow! it had some very beautiful spots. I'll try to post some more pictures here. We passed over the border crossing amidst the barbed wire fences and drove through the two major cities. All the city names had been changed and everything was written in Turkish. I'll give a brief summary of the reason Cyprus is divided.

Cyprus is divided into two parts. There is the Turkish north side and the southern Greek side. We, of course we are staying in the South. Before 1974 both Turks and Greeks lived together in relative harmony. Although the two groups have battled for control of the island for centuries, they basically got along ok. Cyprus had only been a nation for a decade or so (receiving their independence from Britain in 1960), when in 1974 a radical political group attempted to overthrow the coalition government (Greek and Turk) in order to merge Cyprus with Greece. The Turks of Cyprus were not happy and asked Turkey to intervene. Turkey immediately attacked from the north and kept this Greek radical group from taking over the entire island. The Turks which had a much stronger army than the Greeks did-easily pushed back the Greeks who were now all fighting together for their lives. In the end the island was divided and there was a mass migration of both Turks from the South and Greeks from the North. This migration was not unlike the great Kashmir migration of Indian Hindus to the south to India and Indian Muslims to the North to Pakistan.

This military conflict left many casualties and thousands of regufuees on both sides The majority of the regugees were Greek from the North. Many of these souls were ministered to by the Yergatians and other ministitries. In fact, there are many believers today that in the throws of despair called out to the Lord for repentance and today are living for Christ. Yesterday I spend time with one of these regugees. Yiannakis is a pastor of a Greek evangelical church today. He came as a refugee to Limassol in 1974 as a high school kid after being a prisoner of the Turks during the war. In the war the soldiers came to his house and arrested he and his father and they were taked as POW's. When the war ended they met the rest of their family which had migrated to Limassol. Sarah's Dad, seeing the need to help out the refugees instituted many relief efforts. In doing this he came in contact with Yiannakis. Eventually Yiannkis came to Christ as a result of the contact he made with Brother Levon's ministry. Later, Yiannkis went to Bob Jones University and trained for the ministry. Today he continues on as a Pastor here in Limassol.

So, what impacted me most about hearing these stories of the refugees? Well, I think it would be the whole idea of being a refugee. Mrs. Souri a friend of Sarah, told us this week that " you never will understand what it is like to be refugee unless you go through it." She told of packing two suitcases and leaving because the Turks were coming to invade and take over her village. She would never see all of the things she had collected for 30 or so years. And then there was the transition to a new home. These thousands of people escape to the south with what they can carry in their hands to new villages. They are refugees, living in places set up for temporary residence and trying to start new lives. Many of these folks were treated poorly by the local people. Even though they were Greeks, there was a bit of a threat. Jobs were scarce and the refugees were now competing for jobs, for homes, etc.

As I comtemplated the plight of the refugee, I thought of the various refugee situations around the world. Of course the Armenians were refugees during their genocide; there was the Jews of the Holocaust. Throughout the world, where there is military conflict there will be refugees which may never return to their land. Can you imagine the Children of Israel and their trek to Babylon. Again, they left with little and began new lives in a strange land. God used many of these refugees for his purpose. I think of Daniel who was used to tell us of many of the details of Christ's coming. God used this time of despair for His glory. So has he done the same in many of the lives of the Cypriot refugees. Our God reigns and will always. He will use whatever we are going through for His Glory.

Graduation at Logos Chrisitan School of Cyprus

Tonight we had a great time at the Logos School graduation. There were young men and women from at least five countries graduating tonight. But, I was struck by the impact of one person for the Gospel of Jesus Christ on this island. That person would be my Father-in Law, Brother Levon Yergatian. It was amazing to see the faithfulness that the school has been to reaching the lost these 35 years later. Sarah graduated in the 2nd graduating class in 1978-so this was the 30th graduating class. The outreach and impact that Logos school has had on the Gospel of Christ in the Middle East is probably really immeasurable. There have been many ministries that have grown out of the ministry of Logos School and the Gospel church that has supported it all of these years.

As I got to know the student body and staff of Logos School I've seen that the impact today is probably even greater than before. Russians, and citizens from the former Soviet Republics love to come to Cyprus-and Logos School has helped to encourage these souls to be saved and serve Christ. Countless men and women have been won to Christ over these 35 years of Logos School ministry.

This week I heard the testimony of a Brother in Christ from Belarus (one of the former republics) that was very exciting. Because of the lack of jobs and opportunity soon after the wall of communism fell in Belarus-this man and his family got on their boat and sailed the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus. They arrived on the Turkish North side and were accused of being Soviet Spies-until they were allowed to get back on their boat and sail to Limassol . Because of the arrest and their ship having mechanical difficulties they ended up in Limassol with no money. So. here is this man from Belarus living in Cyprus with his three children. They had no immigration papers and the kids would not be allowed to attend the Greek schools. This Brother heard from another person that the Logos School could help them out. So, he took his eldest daughter to be enrolled-the school accepted her for free. Then began the spread of Salvations in each of the lives of this family until all of the family professed faith in Christ. Later the other two kids were accepted into Logos School. In the meantime this man and his wife were able to offer many skills in the operation of the school. Both are now helping in many ways in the operation of the School in teaching and maintenance etc. As I spoke with this man I was touched how the vision of Logos School is truly being realized in many ways. Lives are being changed and men and women are not only hearing the most important message of the Gospel but are being trained to serve Christ all over the world. It has been a blessing being a part of the vision that my Father-in-Law had so many years ago in the creatino of Logos School.

How can we as individuals make a difference in this world for Christ? One person can make a difference. Levon Yergatian was one man. But, he was one man who had faith in a great God. There were never any obstacles too great to get around or climb. He has shared many stories of how God did something great when all the odds were against him. Being at the Logos graduation reminded me of our great God. In a month or so I'll be going to Ironwood with our kids. Again, the hand of God is everywhere there. How could Walt Brock build the greatest youth camp on the West Coast in the middle of the desert? Well, it really wasn't Walt Brock-it was the wonderful hand of God using a willing servant. Let us be challenged to trust God to do His will. Let us not let anything drag us down or get in the way. One willing, sold out, servant of Christ can make all of the difference.

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
18Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Update from Guest Preacher Ken Gross from Iowa

Here is an update from Brother Ken Gross from Iowa who shared the Word last week and will this Sunday, too.

Last Sunday's message was on the power of a father. We looked at how obedience, not rebellion to our Fathers (heaven and earth) produce power in our lives. We also looked at how God is a father to the fatherless and is perfect where our earthly fathers are not. Finally we discussed how we must forgive our earthly fathers and try to understand however imperfect they were, a lack of forgiveness stands between us and our God who has forgiven everything in a Christian's life. One point that I may not have made clearly was the results of obedience. Jesus was rewarded by God putting everything under His hand. We too will be rewarded greatly in this life and in Heaven for our obedience as we rule and reign with Christ forever.

Next Sunday my topic will be "Reinventing Church, or Church - Version 2.0" This message will explore how churches must adapt to the context that they operate in. This is a two fold concept as we seek to be effective to the people in general that live under the "church's shadow" of influence and also how to reach the specific group/s of people in our community that God has called this group of believers to reach. This 2nd step involves looking at what talents are in the church as God uniquely equips each church to reach a different set of people. Ultimately, we must bring "church" to the people who do not have a person relationship with God. Church outreach is an organic process from the church members, not necessarily from the Church pastors. The regular attendee's have a greater reach and influence than the pastors.

I will be showing a photo slide show set to music. This clip is a collection of photos I have taken over the last few years. This clip will emphasis that we, the church attendees, are the body of Christ. We are His hands and feet reaching out to bring good news to our neighbors. I pray that the message will be filled with power from the Holy Spirit and also pray that the Holy Spirit moves on people to see the need through mercy's eyes.

Ken Gross

The Limassol Castle

Father's Day

It was Father's Day and I missed being with dad this year. I want to give a tribute to him today. This picture was taken just before the cancer appeared. He has always been a great example to me over the years. I've never met a more hard-working person in my entire life. At one time my dad was a part-time pastor and held down two other part-time jobs. He never complained but continued faithfully to take care of his family as well as helped meet the needs of the church family. He hasn't changed even amidst all of the struggles he's had with the treatments for cancer. Dad was there at the last church work day-doing all he could physically to help out getting many jobs done around the church. My dad has always been a faithful father-loving my mother first of all as well as his children and grand children. I know many of you have father's who were faithful and loved you uconditionally-I hope you give them the thanks they deserve. And for those of you who might look back and seem to only remember the negatives-maybe its time to forgive and give up the bitterness that so easily can creep in. Father's Day is a time to remember the good things and the positive impact that our father's have given us.

24The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

Hold On: We're Driving in Cyprus

Wow! This week I finally bit the bullet and drove on the streets of Limassol. Praise the Lord a van has been supplied for us to get around when we need to. I've been hesitant to drive because of several factors: One, they drive on the Left in Cyprus; two, the van we have is an old-fashioned column shift-which I have never driven regularly-if at all in my life; three, the roads around here are narrow and the corners are tight. Because of number three, people drive pretty aggressively and I've never been one who does-which makes things even more nervous for me. God took care of us-but I never felt comfortable yesterday(when I drove all over the town). Hopefully it will get easier. They have these funny things called roundabouts instead of lights in Cyprus-I still don't have those down yet. I was thinking about the Spiritual application that we could make for this. There are numerous things in our lives that we don't feel comfortable with. In serving the Lord, witnessing sometimes can be an uncomfortable experience. Maybe the Lord is challenging you to take on more Spiritual responsibility in your life-this can often be uncomfortable. Well, take a lesson from "driving in Cyprus". You just have to step out on faith and trust the Lord for His blessing. Be encouraged from Timothy this Lord's Day: I Timothy 4: 6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Making a difference wherever or whoever you are

Be a Witness brothers and sisters. I encourage you to pick up a few of those tracts at church and share the Gospel. Here is a great testimony of someone who did just that. All he did was share gospel tracts and people were saved and their lives transformed. Watch this video!!!
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Sunday from Bullhead to Limassol, Cyprus

You might be wondering how I've had time to make so many posts since we've arrived in Cyprus. Well, I'm sure there are many jobs and tasks that I could be doing-but since this is not my home I don't have the ability to do much around here. So, I've had time to think, figure out how to do some pretty cool posts and write. God willing I'll be able to do "some work" around the school and church. There are always things to do in the Lord's work.

Well, we had a good Sunday worshiping with the believers in Cyprus. In the morning we broke bread, had a very stimulating adult Sunday School class and then in the evening we heard some good Gospel preaching. I was blessed and encouraged from the Word of God. This morning I got up and preached for the chapel session at the Logos School (the Christian school that Sarah's father started). I took my message from Acts 17 and challenged the jr. and sr. high schoolers to "search the scriptures so that they might have a personal relationship with the Lord. Tomorrow I speak to the younger kids (k-6th) for chapel.

Praise the Lord we heard great things from Brother Howie and Dency at Trinity. From my mom's report everyone was blessed and encouraged in the Lord. Thank you all that came for being there and in turn encouraging these young people who are seeking to serve the Lord with their lives. We are all looking forward to seeing the Lord work through my brother-in-law coming up June 22 and 29. Also we will be hearing from Tony De la Riva(another IBC Bible College student) in July. Please pray for that meeting as Tony's grandparents live in Bullhead City. We are praying that they will come and here from their grandson God's Word.

Athens at night

the Mars Hilll Video again

I wanted to repost this within the blogger. This is Acts 17-Paul's words to the Athenians.

Today, we'll attend the Gospel Hall of Limassol. The worship here is a bit different than what we are used to at Trinity Baptist. But, I wish all of you could experience the "Breaking of Bread" or communion meeting here. Today we'll meet together and many of the Spiritual men will share in various ways-the reading of the Word, a short testimonial, a prayer etc. All of the things that will be shared will be centered around Christ's saving work on the cross. A few songs will be song and then we'll share the bread and the grape juice. It is definitely different than what we are used to. But, I appreciate these brothers in Christ as they seek to create a time to Worship Christ in a personal but collective way at the same time. Every Sunday the brothers and sisters break bread together. It is a blessing. Tonight we will meet back again for the Gospel meeting. Here the Gospel is emphasized. I must go we will start very soon. Have a great Lord's Day!

Liberty

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.



These are powerful words from the Apostle Paul. While we were in New York earlier on our trip we took the tour around the Statue of Liberty from one of the rangers there. Being a Government teacher I was overwhelmed with the awesome passion that the guide explained the story of the "Statue". He was an ex-marine who had served in combat I believe in Korea and an African-American-so I would assume that his background gave him an interesting perspective. As he told the story of all the symbolism within the building of the statue, you could see his passion for the liberty that he can now claim. He seemed to understand fully the cost of liberty that Americans now posses.

Greece1

Where the Bible Comes Alive

Yes, that is how I've felt walking the streets of Athens and wandering around the ancient city of Corinth. The highlight of my time in Greece was reading Acts 17 at Mars Hill and I Corinthians 13 at ancient Corinth. Walking around up here it feels like you might see around the next corner the Apostle Paul speaking to a gathering. Athens, although a modern city today-still gives the ancient feel. We enjoyed our time immensely there. I was thinking today about how God prepared even the city of Athens and all of the Roman empire of Paul's day to help us in our walk with Christ. The problems they had in Corinth or Ephesus, etc. were not unique. In fact they were quite typical. God prepared those cities so we could learn-and so the world could learn about how to walk the life with Christ. May we learn and grow-and be like the Bereans(Central Greece) -who searched the scriptures and lived Holy Separated lives unlike some of the Corinthians who were trying to live their lives apart from the principles of the Word of God. We are now in Cyprus and I hope we can encourage the believers here-like Barnabas-who was from Cyprus and is known as the great encourager. We are praying for brother Howie and his ministry with all of you on Sunday. Please don't be shy with comments!!! The first picture is me at Mars Hill and the second is a pic from Corinth at the great canal built from the Ionian to the Aegean Sea at the Pelopennisius (sorry for the spelling).
22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.