My Wife

Can I talk to you about Amanda?  She will hate this as she does not want to be put on a pedestal.  But I want to share a little about who she is.  I have tremendous amount of respect for Amanda.  She is an extremely intelligent woman.  I have more formal education but she is far smarter than I am.  She is naturally gifted and picks up things easily.  Amanda has begun university studies through Laurentian and she is currently working on her B.A. in religious studies.  I love listening to her talk about the things she is discovering.  She is far beyond me, even during my Master's studies.  Amanda has also felt called to ministry.  She is a great preacher.  I love listening to her, not because she is my wife, but because she makes the Word of God come alive.  Amanda is a great mother.  She takes care of our physical needs such as cooking (we would be in big trouble if it was left up to me) but she does much more.  Amanda is gifted in working with the kids, helping them to move beyond their misbehaving ways and motivating them to mature.  It sometimes means she catches more flack from them but I find that I have much to learn from Amanda.  I especially appreciate how Amanda has been with the situation with Abby.  She has made sure Abby has exactly what she needs, even if it means fighting with the government.  Abby could not ask for a better mom.  And then there is her role as a wife.  Amanda is an incredible wife.  She takes the time to know me, to truly know me.  She often knows what I am thinking before I say it.  She has supported me through all my dreams and plans.  She has encouraged me an reined me in when I have needed it.  She has prayed for me and listened to my complaining.  I must say that Amanda is extremely beautiful as well.  I look at Amanda and I wonder how she ended up with me.  She gets more and more beautiful with every year.  Most of all, Amanda has made me feel loved.  I could not have been blessed with a better wife than Amanda.  There you go, a little bit of information about my incredible wife.

Halloween 2010

Spotlight on Andy Stanley

There are a number of authors, pastors and leaders who are known only as the children of famous parents.  Andy Stanley, while the son of Charles Stanley, has made a name for his self based on his own skills and abilities.  I have come to appreciate his writing, especially in the area of leadership.  Here is a selection of some of his books.

The Grace of God By Andy Stanley / Thomas Nelson Nobody deserves the sin-free life and glorious future that God offers---but remarkably, it's ours for the taking. Why? Because of God's grace! Join Pastor Stanley as he warns against the pitfalls of legalism and explores the transforming power of God's unmerited favor, lavish love, and kindness. Then come to terms with your own "grace story"! 256 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be By Andy Stanley / Thomas Nelson Where you want to go in life and the path you choose to get there don't always agree---despite good intentions. Teaching that our direction determines our destination, Stanley offers a story-driven, Bible-based road map to help you avoid unnecessary disappointments and attain your goals for your marriage, career, finances, and more. Includes interactive study guide. 224 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

Next Generation Leader By Andy Stanley / Multnomah Publishers, Inc. The Next Generation Leader has been challenging young Christians eager to learn, grow, and lead in ministry or in the marketplace since its original release in 2003. Now with an all-new look, this repackaged version continues to advance the mission of the first release. Mentoring young leaders as they face the unique issues of a changing world has been pastor and bestselling author Andy Stanley's passion for more than a decade. Here he shares material from his leadership training sessions, developed to address essential leadership qualities such as character, clarity, courage, and competency. This is the perfect guide for any new leader - or for the mentor of a future leader!

The Seven Checkpoints for Youth Leaders: Seven Principles Every Teenager Needs to Know By Andy Stanley & Stuart Hall / Howard Books This book will give every teenager the knowledge and encouragement he or she needs to face the world and remain true to Jesus. In this powerful book, popular pastor and nationally recognized speaker Andy Stanley outlines the seven principles--the irreducible minimum--that teens need to maintain in their lives in order to be victorious in their faith. Through the pages of this powerful, interactive book, teens will learn how to keep each other accountable and encouraged in their quest to live out the "7" in their lives.

Visioneering By Andy Stanley / Multnomah Publishers, Inc. God has crafted a unique vision for each of our lives---a voyage of discovery filled with fantastic riches that are embedded in the very journey itself. By exploring the ordinary life of Nehemiah and his vision for accomplishing the extraordinary, Pastor Stanley provides direction, motivation, and encouragement for your own amazing odyssey of self-discovery. 272 pages, softcover from Multnomah.

The Best Question Ever By Andy Stanley / Multnomah Publishers, Inc. Nobody plans to make mistakes. They just happen. There's money we wish we hadn't spent, relationships we should have avoided, jobs we'd like to forget. The list is endless. But God promises something much better---and his Word provides a filter to successfully evaluate every opportunity, friendship, and decision in your life! 160 pages, hardcover from Multnomah.

Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins When Family and Work Collide By Andy Stanley / Multnomah Publishers, Inc. Ignore It At Your Peril! Andy Stanley addresses the constant battle to correctly balance family responsibilities with work. Learn to establish and maintain priorities, using case histories, biblical examples and suggestions for implementing healthy changes.

Thinking Heaven's Thoughts

This morning at church we looked at Colossians 3:1-4 as part of our Genesis to Revelation series.


“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”(Colossians 3:1–4 NIV)

We looked at four parts of this passage.
1) We are to seek that which is above.  We are built for a quest.  All people seek something, but God has designed us for one quest.  We are to seek not just a ticket to heaven but the rest that comes from faithfulness that Christ achieved.
2) Seeking is relatively easy, setting our minds on something is a different matter.  We sometimes feel as if we are victims of the chaos of random thoughts.  While we cannot choose what thoughts enter our mind, we can choose what thoughts we set our minds on.
3) We are called to die to self and receive the new life that is in Christ.  That new life is safely hidden in Christ.
4) All of this anticipates the resurrection when we will receive bodies built for eternity.  We must prepare our minds for the bodies that God will one day give us.  

Preschool

Our three youngest attend a fantastic preschool.  As part of our Halloween celebrations, we dressed up the kids and took them to visit a nursing home.  Emma and Faith were very cute.

 

Tolkien Question

I enjoy listening to the Tolkien Professor podcast by Corey Olsen.  The latest podcast includes a response to a question I emailed him.  You can listen to the podcast here.  My question is the second of the three questions and it deals with the ring in Lord of Rings and the connection between its primary role as domination and how it gives a person the ability to turn invisible.  Basically, I suggest that the ring does not turn one invisible but actually dominates the minds of people around so they think you are invisible.  In fact all the people who possess the ring, Isildur, Gollum, Bilbo and Frodo, all want to be invisible (or at least want to hide) when they turn invisible.  While not fully agreeing with me, the podcast does have some interesting reflections on the ring.  It is worth listening to if you are a Tolkien fan.

Spotlight on Mark Buchanan

One of my favourite authors is Mark Buchanan.  It is not just because he is a Canadian Baptist (although that is not bad), but because has a deep love for God, the Bible and people.  God has gifted Mark to speak biblical truth and every Christian should read his books.  I have read all of his books (except Spiritual Rhythm which is just being released).  I highly recommend Mark Buchanan's books to everyone who wants to go deeper in their relationship with God.

Spiritual Rhythm: Being with Jesus Every Season of Your Soul By Mark Buchanan / Zondervan How do you measure your spiritual growth? By how much time you spend in prayer? How often you read the Bible? How many times you share your testimony? Rather than becoming frustrated trying to keep track of your Christian "to-do" list, Mark Buchanan believes that your spirit grows depending on what season you're in. Using the four seasons--winter, spring, summer and fall as living parables, Buchanan explores what each has to offer with biblical insight and pastoral experience. Discover what season your heart is in, and find the rhythm in your spiritual walk.

The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath By Mark Buchanan / Thomas Nelson In The Rest of God, author Mark Buchanan says that the Sabbath is essential to our full humanity and faith. God set forth a rhythm of work and rest that if restored to our lives will bring prolonged life, enriched relationships, increased fruitfulness, and abundant joy. For the majority of us who have endless demands and stifling daily routines, discovering the "rest of God" is the solution to "not enough time."

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret of More By Mark Buchanan / W Publishing In Hidden in Plain Sight, pastor and author Mark Buchanan introduces you to an age-old antidote to modern ills---the pursuit of virtue. Virtue at first may seem, as it did to Buchanan, an obsolete, restrictive, and fusty idea. "I still have moments where I think the good life is seeking my own pleasure at my own convenience, so the very thought of practicing virtue chafed me," he writes. He never imagined that it was actually the path to living life to the full, but that's what he's discovering: "a world vast, and beautiful and holy---that all along has been hidden in plain sight." Hidden in Plain Sight invites you to consider what it truly means to live the "good life." Buchanan offers a course in living with holy vigor, based on the seven virtues recommended by the apostle Peter: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.

The Holy Wild: Trusting the Character of God By Mark Buchanan / Multnomah Publishers, Inc. Our perception of God makes a difference in every crevice of our character, from our inner anxieties to our public conversations. It determines whether we're trusting or suspicious, whether we're happy or discontent--and whether or not we can rely on God on the day of our death. Mark Buchanan's third book continues his penetrating exploration of the God we worship. Bravely and honestly, he poses the direst question of human existence: Can God be trusted?

Your God Is Too Safe By Mark Buchanan / Multnomah Publishers, Inc. Your God is Too Safe thoughtfully explores why Christians get stuck in the place of complacency, dryness, and tedium and how to move on to new levels of spiritual passion! Buchanan shows how most Christians begin their spiritual journey with excitement and enthusiasm only to get bogged down in a "borderland"---an in-between space beyond the "old life" but short of the abundant, adventurous existence promised by Jesus. Citing Jonah, Buchanan examines the problem of "borderland living" where doubt, disappointment, guilt, and wonderlessness keep people in a quagmire of mediocrity. He then offers effective solutions to get unstuck and move into a bold, unpredictable, exhilarating walk with Christ. Winner of the 2002 Word Guild's God Uses Ink Award in the Nonfiction category.

Ligonier Ministries

I am now an affiliate for Ligonier Ministries, an organization pioneered by R.C. Sproul.  Feel free to check out their selection of books and CDs.

Re-Ignite

Amanda and I had a great time this week at Re-Ignite, the annual pastor's retreat for the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec.  This year, our speakers were three professors from McMaster Divinity College.  We heard from Stan Porter, who spoke on the book of Acts, Lee Beach, who spoke on current trends in ministry and Jim Peterson, who spoke on current ethical concerns.  We also had great worship led by Mike Janzen.  Of course one of the highlights is just getting together with colleagues in ministry.  This was one of the best pastor's retreats we have had.  Thanks to all the people who organized the retreat.

Our Experience

There is currently a difficult conflict going in our area between parents, students and schools.  This is of interest to me as it includes the school where my children attend.  I hesitate to comment as I do not know all the details of what has gone on.  But I can share my experience.  Three of our children have attended St. Vincent Euphrasia (SVE) school.  We have been very pleased with all the teachers our children have had.  Since two of our children have autism, there was always a greater chance of difficulties.  But the teachers and educational assistants have been top notch.  One of the experiences that we had was with a person in a position of power (not a principal, teacher or EA).  They were make decisions and taking actions that were affecting Logan very negatively.  He would come home saying "Sorry, I'm so sorry."  That is pretty major since he does not talk.  We contacted the school with our concerns.  The leadership at the school took all of the proper actions.  They did not dismiss our concerns as over worried parents nor did they attack the person responsible in order to satisfy our frustration.  They took all of the proper steps, going through the proper channels.  They communicated with the person responsible, while at the same time keeping Logan's safety a priority.  After working repeatedly to get the person responsible to change, that person was eventually let go.  As difficult as it was, we never doubted that the school had Logan's best interests in mind.  As I have said, I do not know the details of the current situation.  All I do know is that for us, SVE is a great school which has worked with us and done what they could to make school a safe and positive atmosphere for our kids.  My thanks go to the principal and all the teachers and educational assistants and other staff.

Thoughts on Bullying

Bullying seems to ever be in the news.  There has been a major crackdown on bullying.  In one way, this is a very good thing.  As a parent, the thought of another child bullying one of my children makes me very upset.  At the same time, I think we need to reflect on what we really expect.  Of course physical attacks and relentless ongoing emotional abuse is completely unacceptable.  But do we really expect that children or teens are not going to call each other names, tease and make fun?  I remember as a child that there were bullies.  There were certain guys that you just kept away from.  You knew that they were bullies and you knew how to avoid their attention.  I was teased, insulted and even pushed around.  I was the smallest kid in my class and was an obvious target for bullies.  However, it was just expected that would be the way.  I do not feel emotionally scarred from being bullied.  Everyone knew that most of them would grow out of it and as long as they did not cross a certain line, it was endured as a necessary presence of immaturity.  Perhaps this is politically incorrect.  But the fact is that even adults call each other names and bully in new ways (including lawsuits).  I applaud efforts to minimize bullying by educating children, teaching them constructive ways of dealing with differences and so on.  But I wonder if new laws, legal punishments and costly lawsuits are really the ways to deal with these issues.  Let us start with parents and the way we raise our children.

Happy Birthday First Baptist Church!

Today we celebrated the 126th anniversary of First Baptist Church Meaford.  In 1884, some Christians joined together to become Meaford Baptist Church.  With a name change to First Baptist Church we have continued to minister in this community.  Our vision is: "First Baptist Church is a loving family that seeks God through worship, prayer and biblical teaching and embraces our community through acts of service and compassion." We had a wonderful celebration this morning joined by Woodford Baptist Church, a message from the Word by Dr. Daniel Wong and music by Morag Campbell. To all the friends and family of First Baptist Church Meaford: Happy Anniversary!

Works of John Wesley

I have been reading portions of John Wesley's journal as part of my devotions.  I have been loving it.  Wesley had an incredible blend of evangelist, pastor and scholar.  It is leaving me wanting more.  CBD has a great deal on the works of John Wesley as you can see in the link below.  They have all seven volumes for only $69.99!

The Works of John Wesley, 7 Volumes: Third Edition By Wesley / Baker The most complete collection available of Wesley's works! The writings in these volumes include Wesley's comments on more than 4,000 subjects, hundreds of personal letters, his complete journal, homiletical pointers, scores of addresses, sermon resources, and an extensive subject and Scripture index. Originally published in 14 volumes. 7488 pages total, seven hardcover volumes.

Becoming Christ-Like

Last week we looked at the following passage:

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1–11 ESV)

I like this passage because it is one of the clearest passages on the divinity of Christ.  Jesus is not just a teacher or a prophet but is God incarnate.  However, that is not the reason that Paul wrote this passage.  Paul is writing this to correct the Philippians, not on their Christology but on their way of treating each other.  We are to become Christ-like, not in the sense of his miracles but his character.  Christ embodies true humility.  We think of the sacrifice of Christ as his crucifixion and that is true but there is more to see.  What about the sacrifice the Son of God made to become human, to go from seeing the largest galaxy and smallest subatomic particle to having to learn how to walk and talk.  Understanding Jesus' divinity also reveals that Jesus was killed not just be some bad people but by his very creation.  This humility was what caused Christ to put the needs of others before himself.  Paul calls us to humble ourselves and to put the needs of others before ourselves.  Are we willing to do such a thing?

Spotlight on Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien is definitely one of my favorite authors.  Lord of the Rings is the only book that I have read almost as many times as the Bible.  Most people are familiar with Lord of the Rings from the movies but nothing beats reading the books.  Here are some books that I would recommend by Tolkien.

The Hobbit: Original Publication in Hardcover By J.R.R. Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin When The Hobbit was first published in this country, the American Library Association's reviewer said in the ALA Bulletin: "At the time of this writing, sill under the spell of the story, I cannot bend my mind to ask myself whether our American children will like it. My impulse is to say if they don't, so much the worse for them ..." By now, The Hobbit has become a classic, and the Horn Book's prophetic review gives some hints as to why: "The background of the story is full of authentic bits of mythology and magic and the book has the rare quality of style. It is written with a quiet humor and the logical detail in which children take delight ... this is a book with no age limits. All those, young or old, who love a finely imagined story, beautifully told, will take The Hobbit to their hearts." The text of this edition of The Hobbit contains all revisions and corrections that have been made since the original publication and conforms in every respect to that of the British Fourth Edition published by George Allen & Unwin in 1978.

The Lord of the Rings, 3 Volume Hardcover Boxed Set By J.R.R. Tolkien / Houghton Mifflin The Trilogy of the Lord of the Rings set includes The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. This fantasy series takes place in Middle Earth, where three rings were made for the elves, seven for the dwarves, and nine made for men. However, the dark lord Sauron of Mordor made one ring that could command them all. If the one ring is returned to Saron, the whole of Middle Earth will be at his mercy. The Fellowship of the Ring sets the pace of the trilogy, beginning in the Shire, where Bilbo Baggins hands over the ring to Frodo. Frodo is handed a quest to destroy the ring by the wizard Gandolf, and on his journey is accompanied by his hobbit friends, the man Aragorn, the dwarf Gimli, and the elf Legolas. In The Two Towers, characters are divided into different plots. While Merry and Pippin battle orcs and convince the Ents to join their cause, others fight battles with magic and swords, Frodo and Sam continue their journey and discover a treacherous guide in Gollum. The Return of the King is the dramatic conclusion to the trilogy, in which Frodo and Sam come face to face with the ultimate temptation and barely escape with their lives. In the ultimate battle of good and evil, the one true King finally emerges.

Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-Earth By J.R.R. Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin A New York Times bestseller for twenty-one weeks upon publication, Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring, and further relates events as told in The Silmarillion and The Lord Of The Rings. The book concentrates on the lands of Middle-earth and comprises Gandalf's lively account of how he came to send the Dwarves to the celebrated party at Bag End, the story of the emergence of the sea-god Ulmo before the eyes of Tuor on the coast of Beleriand, and an exact description of the military organization of the Riders of Rohan and the journey of the Black Riders during the hunt for the Ring. Unfinished Tales also contains the only surviving story about the long ages of Numenor before its downfall, and all that is known about the Five Wizards sent to Middle-earth as emissaries of the Valar, about the legend of Amroth. Writing of the Appendices to The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien said in 1955, "Those who enjoy the book as a "heroic romance" only, and find "unexplained vistas" part of the literary effect, will neglect the Appendices, very properly." Unfinished Tales is avowedly for those who, to the contrary, have not yet sufficiently explored Middle-earth, its languages, its legends, its politics, and its kings.

The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun By J.R.R. Tolkien, with commentary by Christopher Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrzn is a previously unpublished work by J.R.R. Tolkien, written while Tolkien was Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford during the 1920s and '30s, before he wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It makes available for the first time Tolkien's extensive retelling in English narrative verse of the epic Norse tales of Sigurd the Vvlsung and The Fall of the Niflungs. It includes an introduction by J.R.R. Tolkien, drawn from one of his own lectures on Norse literature, with commentary and notes on the poems by Christopher Tolkien.

The Children of Hurin By J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin The Children of Hzrin, begun in 1918, was one of three "Great Tales" J.R.R. Tolkien worked on throughout his life, though he never realized his ambition to see it published. Though familiar to many fans from extracts and references within other Tolkien books, it has long been assumed that the story would forever remain an "unfinished tale." Now reconstructed by Christopher Tolkien, painstakingly editing together the complete work from his father's many drafts, this book is the culmination of a tireless thirty-year endeavor by him to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's vast body of unpublished work to a wide audience.

The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien By Edited by Humphrey Carpenter with Christopher Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin The 20th century's best-loved storyteller was also among its greatest letter writers! From reflections on The Hobbit to his friendship with C.S. Lewis, Tolkien poured forth fascinating dispatches to family, the famous, and unknown fans worldwide. Meet the man behind Middle-earth through his delightfully styled correspondence---alternately playful, tender, scholarly, and Christian. Chronologically arranged; includes a helpful index. Ages 14 and up. 502 pages, softcover from Houghton Mifflin.

Roverandom By J.R.R. Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin This charming tale, peopled by a sand-sorcerer and a terrible dragon, by the king of the sea and the Man-in-the Moon, went through several drafts over the years. Now, more than seventy years later, the adventures of Rover have been published for the first time. Rich wit and wordplay, this book is edited and introduced by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond and illustrated with Tolkien's own delightful drawings.

Happy (Almost) Birthday King James Bible!

Next year is the 400th birthday of the King James Bible.  While I am far from "King James Only" and I do not think it is a great Bible for scholarly study, I do think it is a beautiful translation that has touched people for centuries.  How will you celebrate?  One possibility is to pick up a 1611 version of the King James Bible.  You can find a sample page for what you are getting yourself into here.

KJV 1611 Bible 400th Anniversary Edition Genuine Leather, Black By Hendrickson Publishers Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the 1611 King James Version Bible. For 400 years, the Authorized Version of the Bible—popularly known as the King James Version—has been beloved for its majestic phrasing and stately cadences. No other book has so profoundly influenced our language and our theology. Over time, however, the text has suffered subtle and occasionally troublesome alterations. This attractive edition preserves the original 1611 edition. Word for word and page for page, the text with its original marginal notes, preface ("The Translators to the Reader"), and other introductory material appear as they first did. The sole concession to modernity is a far more readable roman typeface set by 19th-century master printers. Elegantly bound with old-world quality craftsmanship, this is the perfect edition of the incomparable King James Version for study and for sheer enjoyment. Features include The only word-for-word facsimile of the original 1611 Authorized Version on the market Handsome page design with clearer 19th-century type and decorative initials is convenient to read and reference The text is complete with the Apocrypha, original preface and translators' notes. Alfred Pollard's classic essay on pre-1611 English translations and the history of the Authorized Version is also included Ribbon marker Gilded page edges Presentation page

Anniversary Service

This Sunday, October 24 2010, at 11:00 am will be First Baptist Church Meaford's 126th anniversary service.  Our guest speaker will be Dr. Daniel Wong, preaching professor at Tyndale University College.  We will have special music by our very own Morag Campbell.  Everyone is welcome to join us for this celebration.  Please note that Woodford Baptist Church will not have a 9:30 am service this Sunday but will rather be joining us for this service in Meaford.

Guardians of Ga'Hoole

One of the highlights of my day is reading to the kids.  I have read a number of great books to the kids, including the Hobbit and Alice in Wonderland.  Right now I am reading to them the Guardians of Ga'Hoole.  Amanda and I recently watched the movie based on the books and quite enjoyed it.  The book is very good and the kids seem to enjoy it.  I am thankful for good children's literature.

Reasons to be Thankful

Last week being Thanksgiving, it was natural to look at reasons to be thankful.  Most often we are thankful for what we have, but what about our potential, the things that God has for us?  We looked at Ephesians 1 and three things that Paul was thankful for even while he was praying that these things would be made manifest in the lives of the Ephesians.
1) Knowing God - It is not enough to know about God, we must know God.  Even Christians have much more room to know god better.
2) Knowing Hope - Hope is not happiness but holding on.  We must have confidence that there is something better awaiting us.
3) Knowing Power - The power that raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him is available to work in our lives and transform us.
These are good reasons for us to be thankful.

Spotlight on C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is one of the greatest Christian writers, not just of the 20th century but in my opinion, of all time.  Here are some of his books that I recommend.

The C.S. Lewis Signature Classics By HarperOne Now in one portable, affordable anthology. Here are seven essential works by one of the greatest literary and spiritual writers of the 20th century---Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, A Grief Observed, and Lewis's prophetic examination of universal values, The Abolition of Man. 1088 pages, softcover from HarperSanFrancisco.

The Problem of Pain By C.S. Lewis / HarperOne "Lewis knows both the dilemmas of doubt and the dilemmas of belief. But one finds an intelligent awareness of the great sources---not merely Hooker, Law, and MacDonald, but Aristotle, Aquinas, and Augustine. The average person will find Lewis helps him come to grips with distressing facts,"---New York Herald Tribune. 176 pages, softcover. HarperOne.

Great Divorce By C.S. Lewis / HarperOne Lewis's highly influential fantasy about heaven and hell. In Grey Town the inhabitants keep moving farther apart because of their quarrels, while in the Country, sunrise always seems a moment away. Heaven is real and the redeemed quite solid, while hell is minuscule and the damned insubstantial. 160 pages, softcover. HarperOne.

The Chronicles of Narnia: 7-Volume Slipcased Softcover Set By C.S. Lewis / HarperCollins Once your children have followed Lucy through the back of a magic wardrobe - and met Aslan, the Christlike lion - they'll never be the same! Kids adore these classics for their imaginative story lines and adults appreciate the rich Christian symbolism. This softcover set is perfect for young children and families that are on the go. Each volume in this 7 book softcover set includesstunning new cover art by Cliff Nielsen. The individual books include approximately 200 pages and measure 4.25" by 7.25". This set also includes an attractive slipcase in which the books can be safely stored and attractively displayed.

C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy (Not Boxed) By C.S. Lewis / Simon & Schuster Trade Sales Take a journey with Dr. Ransom to the red planet of Malacandra, then to the temptations of Perelandra, and onward toward the dark forces of That Hideous Strength. C.S. Lewis' acclaimed Space Trilogy offers many lessons to be learned about greed, technology and the human condition, but Christian readers will most appreciate the theological and ethical message at the heart of this wonderful science-fiction series!

A Grief Observed By C.S. Lewis / HarperOne In April 1956, Lewis, a confirmed bachelor, married Joy Davidman, an American poet with two small children. After four brief, intensely happy years, Lewis found himself alone and inconsolable. This is the unflinching account of how a stalwart believer lost his sense of bearings in the "mad midnight moment" of grief. 106 pages, softcover. HarperOne.

The Weight of Glory: And Other Addresses By C.S. Lewis / HarperOne Nine sermons and addresses delivered by Lewis during World War II, including "Transposition," "On Forgiveness," "Why I Am Not a Pacifist," "Learning in War-Time," and his most famous, "The Weight of Glory." "These display color, power, and profound thinking,"---Evangelical Beacon. 192 pages, softcover. Zondervan.

The Abolition of Man By C.S. Lewis / Zondervan/HarperSanFrancisco Is education primarily about reading and writing, or should it also strive to develop morality? In his inimitable and eloquent style, Lewis offers three essays that reflect on society and nature and seek to persuade readers of the necessity of instilling within our students universal values such as honor and courage. As relevant today as when it was first published 60 years ago. 113 pages, softcover from HarperSanFrancisco.

The Four Loves By C.S. Lewis / Houghton-mifflin Love has not one but many faces. C.S. Lewis, in this candid, wise and warmly personal book, describes the four basic kinds of human love--affection, friendship, erotic love, and the love of God. He explores the possibilities and problems of the love between parents and children, the love of men for other men and women for women; the love of men and women for each other; and the love of God that may enrich all love. Lewis also explores the questions of sex, possessiveness, jealousy, pride, false sentimentality, good and bad manners in loving, and the need for more laughter between lovers.

Miracles By HarperOne "The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation. They say that God became Man. Every other miracle prepares the way for this, or results from this." This is the key statement of Miracles, in which C.S. Lewis shows that a Christian must not only accept but rejoice in miracles as a testimony of the unique personal involvement of God in His creation. Using his characteristic lucidity and wit to develop his argument, Lewis challenges the rationalists, agnostics, and deists on their own grounds and makes out an impressive case for the irrationality of their assumptions. Trade paperback, from Zondervan.

Mere Christianity By C.S. Lewis / HarperOne Arguably the 20th century's most influential Christian writer, C.S. Lewis sought to explain and defend the beliefs that nearly all Christians at all times hold in common. His simple yet deeply profound classic, originally delivered as a series of radio broadcasts, is a book to be thoroughly digested by believers and generously shared with skeptics.

An Incredible Experience

I went to a training seminar today.  That is not unusual for me.  But this one was unlike any other I have been to.  The seminar was on the Trauma of War and was hosted at the Land Force Central Area Training Centre.  It is one thing to talk to us about what soldiers go through.  It is another to give us a taste.  When we arrive, they gave us combat helmets and herded us onto trucks.  We drove until we arrived at a simulated Afghan check point and we observed how the soldiers would make sure things were safe.  We then entered a simulated Afghan village.  Our convoy was hit by two IEDs and then ambushed by some insurgents.  They even were burning cow legs to give us a sense of the smell of burning flesh.  The rest of the day was spent listening to various professionals speak on PTSD and other issues faced by the soldiers.  At each table were soldiers so that we could ask about their experience personally.  It was an incredible day.  I am in the process of becoming a chaplain in the reserves and so this was of great interest.  We really need to pray for our troops, those who are stationed in Afghanistan and other places, and those who have come home and are dealing with what they have witnessed.

An Outing With the Kids

This is what it looks like to take the kids out for dinner.

Amazing Grace Movie

First Baptist Church Meaford is hosting a movie afternoon on Saturday, October 16 at 2:00 pm.  The movie we are going to watch is Amazing Grace.  You can watch the trailer here.  Everyone is welcome. If you are in the Meaford area, make sure to join us.  Admission is free.

A Great Visit With Abby

The highlight of this year's Thanksgiving was having Abby home for a visit.  It was a great visit.  It was so nice to have all five kids under the same roof.  We all went down as a family to drop Abby off at Avalon.  Truly family is one of the greatest blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In honour of yesterday being 10/10/10, I thought I would list ten things I am thankful for.  I thought better and decided to go with ten people or groups that I am thankful for.

1) Amanda - Amanda is an incredible wife and mother.  I love and respect my beautiful life partner.
2) Logan - I am extremely proud of my boy who has come so far.
3) Abby - She has had a rough year and yet I am thankful for the way God has provided for her and has reminded us of how much we love her.
4) Justus - He is my buddy and I love our bond.
5) Emma - She is my princess and I love the way she greets me with a hug and "Daddddddddy!!!!!!!!!!"
6) Faith - She is such a cute kid and I value our cuddle time.
7) My Parents - Although they are gone, I am thankful for their love and provision and for the ways they helped me become the man I am today.
8) Amanda's Parents - They have been a blessing and have helped us in so many ways.
9) My Churches - Woodford and First Baptist Church are incredibly supportive churches and I brag about them every chance I get.
10) God - Last but definitely not least.  I recently became friends with someone on Facebook that I knew growing up in church.  He knew I was not that interested in religion and was surprised that I had become a pastor.  He asked what happened.  God happened.  God reached out to me, was patient with my stubbornness and adopted me into his family.

I am thankful to God for all of these.  By the way, although not part of the ten, our dog Halo gets honorable mention.  He is a very good dog.  I like our cat to, but she usually does not save our kids lives.

Happy Thanksgiving from Woodford and First Baptist Churches

Woodford Baptist Church and First Baptist Church Meaford wishes you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Asleep in the Light

This is one of the most powerful Keith Greens.  It is a message that the church still needs hear.

Calvin's Commentaries

Very often when one consults biblical commentaries, one has to be very careful with how old the scholarship is.  There are so many advances in research that commentaries can become dated very quickly. Yet, somehow John Calvin's commentaries seem to survive and thrive through the centuries.  Calvin was far ahead of his time when it came to his method of exegesis.  These commentaries are definitely worth consulting today.  Christian Book Distributors have a great deal on these commentaries and they even throw in a copy of Institutes.  Click on the link below for more information.

Calvin's Commentaries, 22 Volumes/with bonus copy of Calvin's Institutes By John Calvin / Baker A prolific scholar and theologian, John Calvin authored not only his famous Institutes of the Christian Religion, but also commentaries on twenty-four books of the Old Testament and all of the New Testament except for 2 & 3 John and Revelation. These classic commentaries by a towering figure in the Reformation continue to be valued exegetical reference works for pastors and serious students of the Bible. All 22 volumes of Calvin's Commentaries are handsomely bound, and come with a bonus copy of Henry Beveridge's classic translation of the Institutes. Get all 23 volumes for a mere $119.99.