Homesick for Heaven?

“Nothing is more often misdiagnosed than our homesickness for Heaven. We think that what we want is sex, drugs, alcohol, a new job, a raise, a doctorate, a spouse, a large-screen television, a new car, a cabin in the woods, a condo, in Hawaii. What we really want is the person we were made for, Jesus, and the place we were made for, heaven. Nothing less can satisfy us.” ~Heaven, by Randy Alcorn, page 160.

Homesick My Whole Life

This weekend tears were shed as we said good bye to my parents until next furlough. Emma later said, “I have been homesick my whole life.” Oh, the sincerity and theology of this 10-year-old’s confession. Missionary Paul put it this way: “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ…” (Phil 1:23-27)

Top Ten Book List of 2014

My top ten favorite reads from 2014 (outside the Bible). They are in the order I read them, not in order of favor per se. I obviously enjoy history and biographies…
1. Adrift from the Gospel, by Raymond Teachout (236 pages).
2. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, by Frederick Douglass (116 pages).
3. South: The Story of Shackleton's 1914-1917 Expedition, by Sir. Ernest Shackleton (264 pages).
4. Seven Men Who Rule the World From the Grave, by Dave Breese (240 pages).
5. Why Jesus? Rediscovering His Truth in an Age of Mass Marketed Spirituality, by Ravi Zacharias (276 pages).
6. The Fundamentals, edited by R.A. Torrey and A.C. Dixon (4,000 + pages in 12 volumes).
7. Romans and Galatians, by H.A. Ironside (240 pages).
8. George Washington, by William Roscoe Thayer (178 pages).
9. The Life of Abraham Lincoln, by Henry Ketcham (246 pages).
10. C. T. Studd: Cricketer and Pioneer, by Norman P. Grubb (241 pages).

The Gospel is Powerful!

Rejoicing in the privilege of being able to preach the Gospel on a regular basis all over the United States. This morning I preached the Gospel at my parents' church here in Indiana. Two first time visitors immediately came forward at the invitation to trust Christ. Pastor Holmes spent much of the afternoon with these men, and they both returned this evening to be baptized at the conclusion of this evening's service. Praise the Lord for these two new brothers in Christ - Tristan (15) and Donny (40 something?). "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Joy Is A Gift

“Joy is not to be found when other people love us; joy is to be found when we love other people. It is love, then joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that is produced as you and I engage in love…The source of joy is God. It is important for us to notice that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, joy is not something that we manufacture in our lives. Joy is not something that you work up. Joy is something that is given to us as a gift from God. Anytime that you and I try to manufacture joy in our own lives by our own effort, we get nothing more than wax fruit. Wax fruit is not very satisfying.” (Are You So Foolish: A Commentary on Galatians, by Jeff Amsbaugh, pages 399-400)

Only cared about one thing...

The Father of C. T. Studd was saved in a Moody Crusade in England. Mr. Studd was immediately convicted by his conscience about "horse racing," "shooting," "hunting," "playing cards," and going to "theaters" and "balls." Mr. Studd went to Mr. Moody and asked him if he should give these things up, now that he was a Christian. Moody answered, "Mr. Studd, you have children and people you love; you are now a saved man yourself, and you want to get them saved. God will give you some souls, and as soon as ever you have won a soul, you won't care about any of the other things." "Sure enough," Mr. Grubb wrote, "to the astonishment of his children and many others, he didn't care for any of the these things any longer; but only cared about one thing, and that was saving souls."

See As God Sees

"See their hopeless ignorance; they have never heard of a God who loves and cares, they have no conception of holiness or heaven, they have never seen a book. And see yet one step further. See as God sees: see hearts that can be washed that can receive eternal life: see bodies that can be possessed by the Spirit of Christ and all their powers used to show Him forth." From the biography of English missionary, C.T. Studd (C.T. Studd: Cricketer and Pioneer), who faithfully served his master for many years in China, India, and Africa.