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          Martin Luther's posting of his  95 Theses  sparked one of the most incredible movements in human history. It stirred the consciences of men and women to come back to the authority of Scripture and by doing so, brought to light the excellent and holy doctrine of justification by faith alone. In 1517, the Roman Catholic church sold partial and plenary  indulgences . These indulgences gave the Roman Catholic church prosperity at the expense of burdening the souls of men and women with a false gospel. Indulgences coincided with the Roman Catholic doctrine of  purgatory , a place of temporary punishment. The  95 Theses  inadvertently challenged the papal claim of the existence of the  treasury of merit , and led to the Reformation, the  5 Solas , an abundance of Bible translations, and a Catholic Reformation. Climate, Luther, and the 95 Theses           Leading up to the Reformation, one of the many groundwork elements was the production of both Greek and Latin New Testaments ...

We continue our series on the writings of John Bunyan. In today's post we look at the first three of Bunyan's "dying sayings" (slightly modernized) which he wrote while on his death bed. Historical records show that in 1688 Bunyan was caught in a storm while on the way to London, after which he became ill with a serious fever. He died on August 31, 1688 and was buried in a tomb in Bunhill Fields nonconformist burial ground in London. It was during these last days that he wrote the following sayings. It is truly a remarkable testimony of Bunyan's faith that he was not angry at God for what some may view as a needless illness and death for a great servant of God. Not only did Bunyan accept God's will, but he used his final days to continue teaching the truths of God and His Word.   OF SIN Sin is the great block and bar to our happiness, the procurer of all miseries to man, both here and hereafter: take away sin and nothing can hurt us: for death, temporal, spiri...

Last week, I talked about the importance of feeding our souls even when we feel like we're too tired to eat, and today I want to share some practical ideas for how busy/sleepy mommies can find time when no time is to be found. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7-11) The Bible, On Reading the Bible One of my favorite motifs in the psalms is this idea of meditating on God "in the night watches."  David was on the run for so much of his life as a military man, and he mentions r...

For Christians it's important to read.  It's important to read the Bible, books on the Bible, books about Christian living, and books to know more about God. But sometimes one's life gets very busy. How can the busy Christian find time to read? This post is meant to be a pastoral, practical and encouraging answer to that question. 

Scripture Matthew 9:36-38 (NASB) 36  Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.  37  Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  38  Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Mark 11:17 (NASB) And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” Romans 10:14-15 (NASB) 14  How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15  How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 (NASB) 1  Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with y...

In today's entry, I continue our series looking at the works of John Bunyan. The following paragraphs contain select verses from John Bunyan's "Mediations" which he wrote while in prison. Written in a poetic format, these verses record Bunyan's experiences of God's grace and goodness in his life while he was imprisoned without just cause. With each word it becomes powerfully clear that Bunyan's time in prison only served to strengthen and embolden him more in his zeal for God. I hope you find these verses as exhortational as I did, and if you want to read the complete work (I encourage you to do so!), you can find the PDF here .   I am, indeed, in prison now In body, but my mind Is free to study Christ, and how Unto me he is kind. For though men keep my outward man Within their locks and bars, Yet by the faith of Christ I can Mount higher than the stars. Their fetters cannot spirits tame, Nor tie up God from me; My faith and hope they cannot lame, Above th...

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15)   How often we turn to the words of ‘the great commission’ before we embark on a missionary trip or a weekend city-street mission.  And rightly so.  Before we begin our task for God, we ought to have our focus on God’s command to preach the gospel and make disciples. But what is our intention when heading out on endeavours like these?  To glorify God?  To win men and women for Christ?  To be a faithful witness? Or is it to try and prove a point? Living in a society that subtly but powerfully is pushing anything related to God out of the picture, it is possible for Christians to feel uptight, bitter, and perhaps angry towards unbelievers.  Seeing the name and work of Christ being cast into the gutter is going to grieve us, but taking it out on people around us isn’t exactly going to give them the desire to ...

Most kind and loving people have admirably low expectations for mothers of young children.  People constantly reassure me that my failures are okay, whether it’s that I forgot to bring something, do something, answer an email quickly, or even if it’s something more important: “Nobody can be perfectly patient all the time.”  “I didn’t read the Bible for years when we had littles.”  “They won’t remember the bad times.”  “The important thing is that you’re trying.”  “God knows what we need even when we’re too tired to pray.” Even great pastors like D.A. Carson and Martyn Lloyd-Jones are hasty to reassure us of the legitimacy of our struggle, the impossibility of being a mother of young children and a devotee of Scripture at the same time. There is much kindness in such reassurance.  I have no doubt that it is well-meant. But while pithy reassurances are comforting, they aren’t necessarily biblical or helpful. My heart is bleak ; I am not strong enough to stop burying myself in the Word ...