June 12, 2017 
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I thought i would use “Castle Rising Castle” for this weeks “Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Buildings“
While on holiday at the lighthouse Me, Sarah & Brother Ben took a day trip to Castle Rising castle. I gave Ben my big Nikon as Sarah & I were doing an audio described tour provided by the ticket office for £1. It was a fun tour as the audio description was dramatised!
I still managed to shoot the shots above with my little compact camera! 🤣
June 9, 2017 2 Comments
I am saddened…..No grieved to see just how many “professing Christians” have filled Facebook, Twitter and the rest with endless ramblings on where we need to put the cross “❌” on our ballot papers, Without mention of THE CROSS “✟” on which our whole Salvation and Hope is vital!
Have we really elevated politics to a Saviour level?
We are living in a day when the message of the church is changing. Churches, and even whole denominations, are moving away from the old message of salvation through the blood of Jesus, and are moving toward a message of salvation through social activism and good works. The old bloody message of the cross is quickly being replaced by a bloodless message that lacks power and that lacks hope. Instead of hearing the devastating, but life changing news that men are sinners, people hear a message that tells them, “I’m OK and you’re OK!”
When the Apostle Paul went to the great and intellectual Grecian city of Corinth, he said, “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). When Paul described what his message was, he said, “We preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23).
The Christian looks beyond this dying world to his eternal home in glory. The cross of Jesus enables him to soar on high, and leave the world behind him. He looks forward to the glory that is to be revealed in him. He sets his affections on things above. Oh, keep gazing on a crucified Savior, and the world will lose its charms. “Be of good cheer,” says Christ, “I have overcome the world.” We also shall overcome it, through his cross. It is a sight of the cross of Christ that weans the affections from sublunary objects, and centers them on heavenly and divine things. In this wicked world, the Christian thirsts for God, and pants to reach the mansions of glory.
O that every reader would imbibe the spirit of Paul, and boast only in the cross of Christ! The cross of Christ is the Christian’s boast. In every age this has been his song. Every true believer glories in Christ and him crucified. A ray of heavenly light from the cross beams on his soul, filling it with joy unspeakable and full of glory; enabling him to sing in the ways of the Lord and boast in the rock of his salvation. He sees the moral grandeur of the cross; its attractiveness; its dazzling glory. He is thus led to place all his hopes in the cross of the Man of Calvary, and to glory, before an ungodly world, in that atonement made by the blood of Jesus.
“Far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14
June 8, 2017 1 Comment
Dead Fish Go With The Flow!
Adapted From Calvin Schlabach
“BE DIFFERENT! Don’t go with the flow!” we are urged. “Don’t follow the crowd! Even a dead fish can float downstream.” It does not take any effort or work on the part of a fish to go with the flow and drift downstEven a dead fish can float. Only a living and healthy fish can swim against the current and travel upstream. In the same way, any weak Christian can live like the world; it takes a vital, healthy faith to enable someone to stand on their convictions, firm against the tide of opinion and the example of unbelievers.
Perhaps we can carry the analogy a bit further. With the polluted condition of many of our modern streams and rivers, it is not only dead fish that float downstream. Trash, industrial waste, and pollutants of one kind or another floats downstream. A fish that travels in that direction finds itself swimming in increasingly fouled and filthy waters. The purest, cleanest waters are found farther upstream nearer the source, where people rarely go. What kind of water would you rather swim in? What kind of life would you rather have? Pure waters are reached only by swimming against the current!
Obviously, we do not want to be one of those wimpy, weak-willed, dead-fish Christians; yet it is so easy to go with the flow and follow the crowd. If we carelessly live like everyone else, we will find ourselves surrounded by the pollution of sin. Is there any way out of this mess? What does it take for us to be able to swim against the current and move farther upstream? I suggest that we need to concentrate on five main points.
Convictions
We will have to know what we believe and then hold to it strongly, for, as it has often been said, those who stand for nothing will fall for anything. We are given the teachings of the apostles and prophets so that we may “no longer be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). We must read our Bibles, accept the principles we find there as our standard of conduct, and then stand firmly on scriptural convictions! How rare it is to see that today! Most of us are so caught up in feelings and tradition, we do not allow truth to shine through.
Courage
The unbelievers will not make it to heaven: “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). When they see that God’s way will require them to leave the false security of doing what all the rest of the world is doing and strike out on their own, their hearts will fail them. Rather than standing against the crowd with the courage of convictions (Romans 8:31), they take the easy way out, turning back to the world, to sin and condemnation. Joshua said, “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go” (1:9).
Strength
We must have power and might to stand firmly against the flood of evil that would swiftly sweep us downstream to our destruction. Paul said, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). We could not successfully withstand temptation and sin that threatens our spiritual well-being by ourselves. Therefore, we are called to “be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). Fortified with power that comes only from God (Ephesians 3:16), we can say with Paul, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Endurance
For most of us, the Christian race is not a brief sprint to the finish line, but rather it is a long, grueling marathon. Listen to the words of the Hebrew writer, “You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised … ‘My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him’” (10:36, 38). It is so sad to see those who have started on the Christian way later give up, forfeiting the race. They did not have the the long-distance endurance to run the race through to the end. Therefore, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Heavenly Goals
The reason we want to travel upstream is because we are seeking something better and higher than the careless world around us. We are not trying to be different from the world just for the sake of being different. We are different because we are pursuing different goals. We have to keep these goals continually before us. Paul said, “Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is … Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). Raise your sights! Don’t follow the foolish crowd!
June 7, 2017 1 Comment
You will never come to the bottom of these depths!
(Robert Murray M’Cheyne)
“Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved–and this is my Friend!” Song of Songs 5:16
Learn much of the Lord Jesus. For every look at yourself–take ten looks at Christ!
Such infinite majesty, and yet such meekness and grace–and all for sinners, even the chief!
Unfathomable oceans of grace are in Christ for you. Dive and dive again–you will never come to the bottom of these depths! Yes, He is altogether lovely!
Live much in His smiles–bask in His beams. Feel His all-seeing eye settled on you in love, and repose in His almighty arms!
Live near to Him–and all worldly things will appear little to you in comparison.
“Lord, make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be!”
June 7, 2017 0 Comments
Psalm 37:12-15 New King James Version (NKJV)
The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.
The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct. Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.
June 6, 2017 0 Comments
Psalm 36:1-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.
June 5, 2017 7 Comments
“Friend” is this weeks photo challenge…..So i thought i’d share a photo of my best friend and lovely Wife Sarah…..And our(The Late) best friend Bruce THE Boxer. I love this photo of the look of complete adoration in Bruce’s eyes for Sarah! 😊
June 5, 2017 0 Comments
Psalm 35:9 New King James Version (NKJV)
And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.
June 4, 2017 1 Comment
Psalm 34:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Happiness of Those Who Trust in God
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.
June 3, 2017 0 Comments
When will it be my time to be eaten?
(Charles Spurgeon)
All men persist in thinking all men mortal, but themselves.
If there were a great monster in our city, which ate ten of the inhabitants alive every day–we would be dreadfully miserable, especially if we never knew when it would be our turn to be devoured!
If we were certain that it would eat all in our city by-and-bye, but would only eat ten in a day–we would all tremble as we passed by the huge monster’s den, and say, “When will it be my time to be eaten?” This would cast a dark cloud over the whole metropolis, blacker than its usual fog.
But here is a monster, DEATH, which devours its hundreds at its meal. With its iron tongue, the funeral knell keeps crying out for more! Its greedy and insatiable throat is never filled–its teeth are never blunted–and its ravenous hunger is never satisfied.
And though it will be our turn by-and-bye to be devoured of this great monster–yet how little do we think about it!
All men persist in thinking all men mortal, but themselves.
June 3, 2017 0 Comments
Psalm 33:3 New King James Version (NKJV)
Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
June 2, 2017 6 Comments
Today iReminisce about this photo i took shortly before Sarah & i travelled on the London Eye. It rained on both times we’d been on it, so i thought i’d add a dramatic black and white effect to the once colour photo! 🙂
Shortly after i’d made it black and white…..It was chosen as one of the photos to be exhibited in Florence, Italy which totally stunned me! And which sparked the amazing “Tuscany Tour”. If you’ve not joined Sarah & i on this amazing trip, we’d love to meet you there! 🙂
June 2, 2017 0 Comments
Amen!
Heresy abounds. It always has and always will, until such time as Jesus returns and exposes the misguided theological fabrications of men and women and vindicates the truth of his Word. In our day, there are many heretical and deviant notions circulating within the professing evangelical church. But I am persuaded that the most serious and severe departure from biblical faith in our day is the repudiation of the truth of penal substitutionary atonement (together with the wicked, childish, inexcusable, or as J. I. Packer has put it, “the smarty-pants” caricature of penal substitution as “cosmic child abuse”).
There is much that could be said about this, but today I restrict my comments to the declaration of Revelation 1:5b where John predicates of Jesus Christ “glory and dominion forever and ever.” And what is the ground for this doxology? Why is Jesus deserving of such praise? It…
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June 2, 2017 0 Comments
Psalm 32:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Joy of Forgiveness
32 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
May 31, 2017 0 Comments
Psalm 31:24 New King James Version (NKJV)
Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.
May 31, 2017 0 Comments
Wow!!! I can’t believe it’s been 9 years since Me, Sarah & Bruce THE Boxer stayed in this log cabin for a week in Acle, Norfolk.
I remember Sarah had bought me the Baby Taylor acoustic guitar a few months earlier for Christmas. I was so happy i couldn’t put it down…..So it came with us! 🙂
It was a lovely relaxing holiday. I played guitar on the porch while Sarah sat in the hot tub for most of the week. Bruce enjoyed long walks and pretending to be a guard dog! 🤣
More “iReminisce“
May 30, 2017 0 Comments
Psalm 30:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
May 30, 2017 4 Comments
This is one of my favourite photos of my lovely Wife Sarah, and it shows what happens when she smiles! 😎
More “iReminisce“
May 29, 2017 0 Comments
My lovely Wife Sarah said that i should post a photo daily. I’ve taken so many over the years we often forget the memories these pictures evoke. So i’d like to share them with you too.
Please enjoy as “iReminisce”.
I will start with(probably not the most exciting photo in my archive) but to be stood in Pisa, and in front of the fantastic leaning bell tower was incredible! 🙂
Please read my full blog post for this day HERE
I’m still not sure whever to post these photos on BOTH of my blogs…..What do you think?? Could you comment below to tell me whever to keep the posts only to Rebus Photography. Or would you like to see them daily here too?? I love sharing with you guys but i don’t want to flood you out, lol! 🤣
May 28, 2017 0 Comments
Wow, another “Photo Challenge” where i could post thousands of photos! 🤣
Here’s a few “Evanescent” moments of my(& Sarah’s) travels.
On a severely rocky train journey through “St Kitts”, i managed somehow to take this photo of one of my fave church buildings! ~ Read about our fantastic journey here!
Now a little about this bird…..🤣 Taken from my older post “In Flight”
“This photo brings back memories of patience for me. This is the longest i’d taken getting one shot. I spent 3 days going down to the local lake and sat patiently on a bench taking about 150 shots per day until finally got this one. I learnt that when you can’t see what’s in your viewfinder, don’t take photos of birds! lol” 😀
Sarah had just a few seconds to take this photo whilst doing a 2 day course at the “Institute of Legacy Management” building. She wanted to show me a cityscape of London as she wouldn’t get this chance again! 🙂
And of course i can’t do many photo challenges without a photo(or photos) of “Bruce THE Boxer”. Our lovely Boxer dog which we still miss loads! But i felt this period in time(14th July 2000 – 3rd Dec 2011) felt like it only lasted a short time and would suit this challenge. 🙂
May 28, 2017 1 Comment
Seeing that we deserve nothing–we should be content with, and thankful for anything!
(Ralph Venning, “The Plague of Plagues!” 1669)
It has been every man’s lot to come into and go out of this world naked–to show that he has no right to anything, but lives on the alms of God’s charity and grace. All that we have or hold between our birth and death–is the mere gift of God.
God might choose whether He would allow us anything or not; and when He has given–He may take back again, and none of us has cause to say anything but what Job said:
“Naked I came into the world–and naked I shall return. The Lord has given–and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” Job 1:21
All that we have, our food and clothing and belongings–are only lent to us. Therefore, seeing that we deserve nothing–we should be content with, and thankful for anything.
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:7-8
May 25, 2017 0 Comments
“The Christian message is not an inclusive message that embraces all religions; it’s not a message that there are many paths to the same place. The Christian message is summed up in the brave words of Peter before the Sanhedrin: “Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:11–12).”
Michael Youssef, Jesus, Jihad and Peace: What Bible Prophecy Says About World Events Today
May 23, 2017 6 Comments
This weeks “Photo Challenge” left me with so many options i didn’t know where to start!
The photo above is one of Sarah & i’s favourites and is on our side-board. I thought…..”Heritage” – It has the church building which was built way before our time. “Heritage” – The guitar i’m playing(and not worthy of holding, never mind owning) was built by a fantastic Luthier. “Heritage” – And more important than all of this is the Holy Covenant of Marriage that glues Sarah and i together in the power of His promises!
I could go on & on…..But i’ll stop here and go and check out your posts on the challenge! 🙂
May 17, 2017 0 Comments
Amen!
God hates gossip. He wants our speech to be pleasing to Him-and He certainly does not consider idle talk or mean-spirited words pleasant (Col. 3:8). Sadly, gossip is practiced so freely that even some believers participate and try to justify their chatter. But hearsay has no place in a Christian’s life.
Romans 1 contains one of the Bible’s lists of sins. The book’s author-the apostle Paul-is reminding believers that God has revealed Himself to all mankind. Those who reject Him and chase after idols are turned over to their evil worship and the immoral practices that go with serving self (vv. 24-25). Gossip appears in the middle of the list; God despises it because malicious talk destroys lives whether the stories are true or false. The person who is targeted by the rumor often loses the respect of those who listen to it. Hurt feelings may not be the only…
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May 16, 2017 3 Comments
Do not be led astray by all kinds of strange teachings!
(J.C. Ryle, 1816-1900)
“Do not be led astray by all kinds of strange teachings!” Hebrews 13:9
Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous.
There is an undeniable zeal in some of the teachers of error–and their ‘earnestness’ makes many think they must be right.
There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge–and many imagine that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe guides.
There is a general tendency to free thought in these latter days–many like to prove their independence of judgment, by believing novelties.
There is a wide-spread desire to appear tolerant and liberal-minded–many seem half ashamed of saying that anybody can be in the wrong.
There is a quantity of half-truth taught by the modern false teachers–they are incessantly using Scriptural terms and phrases in an unscriptural sense.
There is a morbid craving in the public mind for the more sensational and showy–men are impatient of inward, invisible heart-work.
There is a silly readiness in every direction to believe everybody who talks cleverly and earnestly–and a determination to forget that Satan is often “transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
There is a wide-spread ‘gullibility’ among professing Christians–every heretic who tells his story plausibly, is sure to be believed. Anyone who questions him, is called a bigot and a narrow-minded man.
All these things are peculiar symptoms of our times. I defy any observing man to deny them. They tend to make the assaults of false doctrine in our day peculiarly dangerous. They make it more than ever needful to cry aloud, “Do not be led astray by all kinds of strange teachings!”
An ignorant laity will always be the bane of a Church! A Bible-reading laity may save a Church from ruin.
Let us read the Bible regularly, daily, and with fervent prayer, and become familiar with its contents.
Let us receive nothing, believe nothing, follow nothing–which is not in the Bible, nor can be proved by the Bible.
Let our rule of faith, our touchstone of all teaching–be the written Word of God!
“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word–it is because there is no light in them!” Isaiah 8:20
May 4, 2017 0 Comments
😀
Modern society has many “solutions” for unhappiness. For example, a lot of people turn to prestige, love, or various substances to counteract emotional emptiness, but the happiness these things offer soon drains out again. Only God’s transforming power can change someone with a broken spirit into a content Christ follower who understands his or her value.
To find wholeness, a person must start by receiving Jesus Christ as Savior-the sin that stands between him and God has to be removed. Then, with the Holy Spirit’s strength, he will be able to find the courage to confront past disappointments, hurts, and sins that may have contributed to his feeling unworthy of the Lord’s love.
Someone with a sense of wholeness feels satisfied with life. He knows he is loved, which leads to a good self-image and the ability to love others. Hardship is inevitable in this world, but it…
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May 4, 2017 0 Comments
Therefore, faithful Christian, seek the truth, listen to the truth, learn the truth, love the truth, tell the truth, learn the truth, defend the truth even to death.
Jan Hus
May 3, 2017 4 Comments
Day 1: Wow…..What a fantastic surprise 3 day visit by my Brother Paul! 😀
The Intricate Plan…..
I really had no idea that Ben(Brother in Christ) and Sarah(my lovely Wife) had planned this visit by my Brother Paul since November!!
“Paul had bariatric surgery(Sleeve gastrectomy) a year ago after spending 4 weeks in hospital and has progressed so much, he spent most of the past 5 years housebound and is starting to rebuild his life. i’m really proud of him. He has lost around 24 stone(150kg) since the start of this gruelling fight. And for his first trip out of Derby, he wanted to come and see Epsom. I’m so pleased he did as i can only imagine how much of a big deal this is for him!”
The Almost Upset…..
Ben had organised to meet me at my fave restaurant “Sicily” at 2pm, and as i got into town early i decided to take a detour and get more steps towards my Fitbit daily step goal. Little did i know my Brother was standing outside the train station waiting for Ben to pick him up to surprise me at Sicily. 😀
Paul said “I was standing outside the station just looking around, and suddenly he saw me walking up the other side of the road” “No way, what’s he doing here?….He’s not going to cross over as he is on his way to Sicily” Then just as he said it i was crossing the road towards him. He knows i can’t see enough to recognise anyone even if they are stood next to me. But he panicked and hid behind the nearest object and took a photo as he thought i’d figured out his plan, lol. 😀
⬆ Me on the phone to Sarah, crossing the road while Paul takes a stealth photo! ⬆
The Surprise Meet…..
As i arrived at Sicily i received the usual warm welcome from Grace and was seated at the table. I was thinking through some Bible verses as i expected a deep theological discussion on doctrines etc…..But as Ben arrived he was with his Wife Rosie and son Raffy. I was just getting up to move to a larger table when a FaceTime call came in from my brother Paul!
I usually switch to the back camera(as i can’t see the screen anyway) and try and show Paul around my current location and as i was in Sicily i thought he’d like to have a look. I first pointed it at Raffy and he was giggling into the camera. Then i wanted him to meet Grace and as i was about to point my phone at her…..”ey up bro” I heard in my right ear, i turned and there was my brother Paul standing right next to me!! 😀
After what seemed like minutes, my mind was just racing “How did he get here? Derby is over 150 miles away! I thought trains were too much for him right now? Did Ben pick him up? How is this possible?” i finally gave up and gave him a huge hug, i was stunned! Mission Accomplished Bro! 😀
We had a great time catching up on his adventure over a fantastic meal. 😀
Day 2: Epsom, Boyce Avenue & Celebration BBQ @ “Bens’ Burgers”…..
Epsom…..
We first met Paul in town as we wanted to show him around Epsom, we knew this wouldn’t take long as it’s only a small town, lol. Paul bought a souvenir in the shape of a Raiders cap and we had a great time exploring Epsom.
Boyce Avenue…..
Boyce Avenue are Paul’s favourite band. Their music has helped him through a lot of dark times. So when he said he’d love to see them in concert and mentioned they were playing at the Royal Albert Hall in November 2017, i just had to book tickets for Paul, Me & Sarah! 😀
Since i knew he like them, and he loves singing…..i’d learnt a few songs on guitar so that if i was ever in the same room as Paul with my guitar, it would be fantastic to play together. And since we’d finished in town and was back home…..That time was now. lol And after this very special moment which i’ll always remember, it was time for Ben to pick us up
Celebration BBQ…..
Ben not only prepared the food, cooked the food…..He even picked us up and drove us to his home! Thank you so much Ben! 😀
Ben went all out for this celebration and cooked Steak, Chicken burger, Lamb Kofte & a lovely salad. Wow Thanks again Ben! 😀
⬆ Paul & Vini ⬆
⬆ Vini & Raffy playing football with ice-creams. ⬆
⬆ Luzia showing her skills and having lots of fun with Raffy! ⬆
⬆ Bens Wife Rosie with son Raffy ⬆
After filling up on all the amazing food, football and chasing Raffy we all headed inside for a rest! 🤣
⬆ From Left: Vini, Me, Raffy & Paul ⬆
From Left: Luzia, Rosie & Sarah ⬆
Football on Epsom Downs…..
Now it was time for Ben to try out his new 7 seater, he had never filled all 7 seats before so here goes!!!!
Yay! We are all in! 🤣
⬆ From Left: Ben, Rosie, Vini, Sarah, Raffy(hidden), Me, Luzia & Paul ⬆
As it was an open field, i had lots of room and could move around with a little more confidence knowing i wouldn’t hit anything, lol.
⬆ Raffy, Me, Paul & Ben ⬆
⬆ Raffy showing Vini some skills ⬆
⬆ Me, Raffy & Paul ⬆
⬆ Me & Raffy ⬆
⬆ Raffy with a crunching challenge! ⬆
Paul was loving the view right across London and could see Wembley Stadium all lit up too! We had a great evening and we were all tired from running around!
Day 3: The Cricketers…..
For a nice farewell, we treated Paul to a beautiful roast dinner at the fantastic Cricketers Inn. What a lovely view for a nice warm roast dinner, and of course it has to have a homemade Yorkshire Pudding! 😀
⬆ The Cricketers(one of my older photos) it wasn’t snowing, lol. ⬆
⬆ Me & Paul outside Epsom Train Station ⬆
Wow…..It was a fantastic few days and i’m so proud of how well Paul is doing. I still can’t believe i’d see him down here so soon! His surprise was overwhelming at times….. And since he arrived home safely…..he’s told me that he’s planned to visit agin in August! Yay! 😀
I hope you enjoyed Pauls visit too? And i’m pleased you got to meet my fantastic Brother!
April 28, 2017 0 Comments
An arm that can never be broken!
(J. R. Miller, “A Life of Character”)
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms!” Deuteronomy 33:27
The picture suggested, is that of a little child, lying in the strong arms of a father who is able to withstand all storms and dangers.
At the two extremes of life, childhood and old age–this promise comes with special assurance.
“He shall gather the lambs in His arms, and carry them in His bosom” (Isaiah 40:11), is a word for the children.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He; I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you!” (Isaiah 46:4), brings its blessed comfort to the aged.
The thought of God’s embracing arms is very suggestive. What does an arm represent? What is the thought suggested by the arm of God enfolded around His child?
One suggestion, is protection. As a father puts his arm about his child when it is in danger–so God protects His children. Life is full of peril. There are temptations on every hand! Enemies lurk in every shadow–enemies strong and swift! Yet we are assured that nothing can separate us from the love of God. “Underneath are the everlasting arms!”
Another thought, is affection. The father’s arm drawn around a child–is a token of love. The child is held in the father’s bosom, near his heart. The shepherd carries the lambs in his bosom. John lay on Jesus’ bosom. The mother holds the child in her bosom, because she loves it. This picture of God embracing His children in His arms–tells of His love for them–His love is tender, close, intimate.
Another thought suggested by an arm, is strength. The arm is a symbol of strength. His arm is omnipotence. “In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:4). His is an arm that can never be broken! Out of this clasp–we can never be taken. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish–ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!” (John 10:28)
Another suggestion is endurance. The arms of God are “everlasting.” Human arms grow weary even in love’s embrace; they cannot forever press the child to the bosom. Soon they lie folded in death.
A husband stood by the coffin of his beloved wife after only one short year of wedded happiness. The clasp of that love was very sweet–but how brief a time it lasted, and how desolate was the life that had lost the precious companionship!
A little baby two weeks old–was left motherless. The mother clasped the child to her bosom and drew her feeble arms about it in one loving embrace; the little one will never more have a mother’s arm around it.
So pathetic is human life with–its broken affections, its little moments of love, its embraces that are torn away in one hour. But these arms of God–are everlasting arms! They shall never unclasp!
There is another important suggestion in the word “underneath.” Not only do the arms of God embrace His child–but they are underneath–always underneath! That means that we can never sink–for these arms will ever be beneath us!
Sometimes we say the waters of trouble are very deep–like great floods they roll over us. But still and forever, underneath the deepest floods–are these everlasting arms! We cannot sink below them–or out of their clasp!
And when death comes, and every earthly thing is gone from beneath us, and we sink away into what seems darkness–out of all human love, out of warmth and gladness and life–into the gloom and strange mystery of death–still it will only be–into the everlasting arms!
This view of God’s divine care is full of inspiration and comfort. We are not saving ourselves. A strong One, the mighty God–holds us in His omnipotent clasp! We are not tossed like a leaf on life’s wild sea–driven at the mercy of wind and wave. We are in divine keeping. Our security does not depend upon our own feeble, wavering faith–but upon the omnipotence, the love, and the faithfulness of the unchanging, the eternal God!
No power in the universe can snatch us out of His hands! Neither death nor life, nor things present, nor things to come–can separate us from His everlasting arms!
April 22, 2017 0 Comments
“Ah, how would natural men soar to heaven – upon the pinions of their own merit! The sunbeams of Divine justice will soon melt such weak and wax wings!”
William Secker
April 19, 2017 1 Comment
Amen…..another fantastic post by Peter! 😀
The Christian faith is not a mere collection of doctrines — a bag of truths. Christianity is a comprehensive truth claim that encompasses every aspect of revealed doctrine, but is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, as the apostolic preaching makes clear, the gospel is the priority.
The Apostle Paul affirms this priority when he writes to the Christians in Corinth. In the opening verses of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul sets out his case:
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was…
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April 18, 2017 2 Comments
Hi all Just wanted to share with you a few things Sarah & i got up to one our Birthday’s. Sarah’s Birthday is 4 days before mine, so we enjoyed celebrating with the help of loved ones. 😀
As Sarah has another “Charcot Foot” and is wearing an air-cast again, we knew it would be difficult getting around but you can’t keep Sarah down that easy! 😀
⬆ Sarah’s Musical Nails ⬆
First things first….Sarah went to have her nails done. lol 😀
On Monday…..Me, Sarah & Vini went to see the extremely talented “Duet Philharmonic Orchestra”.
On Tuesday(Sarah’s Birthday)…..our loving sister in Christ Sara treated us to a day-trip to Littlehampton so Sarah could have her Birthday doughnuts while listening to the sound of the sea.
⬆ Sarah & Sara at Little Hampton Sea Front ⬆
Sara certainly wasn’t ready for what happened next. lol 😀
⬆ Sara & Sarah happy to have got their hands on birthday doughnuts! ⬆
⬆ Sara can’t believe Sarah would take a bite out of her doughnut! ⬆
⬆ Sara still in shock that Sarah would bite a chunk out of her doughnut! ⬆
⬆ Me and my lovely Wife Sarah at Little Hampton Sea Front ⬆
We had a fantastic time and it was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for enjoying a tray of chips with salt & vinegar on the beach! 😀
I invited lots of our church friends for an italian Birthday surprise meal for Sarah. It was a lovely evening and was enjoyed by all.
⬆ Sarah & Rosie with 3 Birthday cakes! ⬆
I started helping out at the church youth group 6 months ago and i’ve been so surprised with their desire for God and to know more about Him. It’s been an amazing 6 months of Theology and sharing, praying and growing deeper in our Faith.
At the end of this term they organised a evening of Bowling and sharing a meal together which i was really looking forward to as i’ve not been bowling in over 15 years! 😀
⬆ From Left: Rachel, Tom, Jane, Sarah, Vini, Joe and Me ⬆
⬆ Sarah Bowling ⬆
⬆ Me Bowling ⬆
As i couldn’t see the ball, the lane or the skittles…..Sarah and the youth were fantastic guides and assistants so i could be(and feel) included in this fun evening!
After bowling we went for a lovely italian meal.
⬆ From Left: Lucas, Vini, Jane, Me, Tom, Sarah, Rachel & Joe ⬆
Sarah’s Dad and 2 of her brothers came down for a 3 day visit and as they love playing music i asked Phil(guitarist i Worship with at church) if we could jam in his fantastic music lodge?! 😀
⬆ Phil(left) playing the blues with Sarah’s Dad Steve ⬆
⬆ Sarah(left), Marshall & Hope ⬆
⬆ Alfie(left playing and Sarah’s Dad Steve singing ⬆
⬆ Phil jammin’ with Sarah’s Dad ⬆
⬆ Me playing Phil’s 5 string monster bass guitar ⬆
Wow, as i’d never played bass before Phil let me loose on his bass guitar. I never knew just how much fun it would be, what a Birthday treat! 😀
Wow, what a week so far! Sarah’s Dad & 2 brothers had to get back to Doncaster, while Phil picked us up to go to Ben’s home where he was making my fave “Keebies”(don’t know the spelling) which are Brazilian lamb koftes, Mmmmmm. It was another great day with the church family and i got to eat(and share) my Fallout 4 birthday cake from my lovely Wife Sarah!! 😀
⬆ Me and my Fallout 4 cake ⬆
Thank You!!!!!
I just want to say an enormous thanks to everyone involved in making a truly memorable birthday celebration for Sarah & i! 😀
If any of you are reading this…..you really don’t know how much your love and kindness means to us, it moves us very deeply, thank you!!
Spirit is thicker than blood…..
Matthew 12:49-50 Amplified Bible (AMP)
And stretching out His hand toward His disciples [and all His other followers], He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven [by believing in Me, and following Me] is My brother and sister and mother.”
April 16, 2017 0 Comments
Admire The God Of Free Grace
(Edward Payson, 1783-1827)
“Look to the rock from whence you were hewn, and to the pit from whence you were dug!” Isaiah 51:1
It is profitable for the children of God often to . . .reflect on what they formerly were, meditate on their once wretched and helpless condition, look to the rock whence they were hewn, and to the pit whence they were dug.
Look back, then, Christians, to the time when you were . . .
the enemies of God,
the despisers of His Son,
the willing slaves of the father of lies,
and children of disobedience!
Look back to the time when . . .
your hearts were as hard as the nether millstone;
your understandings were darkened;
you were alienated from the life of God;
your wills were stubborn, perverse and rebellious;
your affections were madly bent on the pleasures of sin;
every imagination of the thoughts of your heart were only evil, and continually evil!
Look back with shame and self-abhorrence to the time when you . . .
lived without God in the world,
drank in iniquity like water,
served various lusts and vanities,
fulfilled the sinful desires of the flesh and mind,
cast God’s holy law behind your backs,
stifled the remonstrances of conscience,
quenched the influences of the Spirit,
neglected the Holy Scriptures, and
mocked God with pretended worship, while your hearts were far from Him.
A rebel against God,
a resister of the Spirit,
a slave of Satan,
a child of wrath,
an heir of Hell
such, O Christian, was once your character!
Nothing was then before you, but a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation!
Admire the God of free grace–who save you from such a dreadful plight!
April 16, 2017 0 Comments
By Adrian Warnock, author of Raised with Christ: How the Resurrection Changes Everything.
1. The resurrection is the core of the Christian message and should never be neglected or assumed.
Sometimes today, when we hear the gospel preached, the focus is on the cross. The resurrection is often ignored, assumed, or mentioned only in passing. In contrast, the preaching recorded in the book of Acts emphasized the resurrection of Jesus, and barely mentioned his death. The apostles were preoccupied with the resurrection and emphasized it much more than the cross.
Sadly, the church only seems to get excited about the resurrection once a year at Easter time. In reality, every Sunday should be Resurrection Sunday. The reason why the early church began to meet on the first day of the week was to celebrate Jesus’s defeat of death. Imagine what church would be like if we consciously gathered
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April 13, 2017 0 Comments
When that monster of a man hung!
(James Smith, “The Believer’s Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble” 1842)
“O Lord, there is none like You!” 1 Chronicles 17:20
Truly, our God is without a parallel!
He could dash His enemies to Hell with one word, and drive them to despair. But instead of this, He constantly provides for them–and many of them are fed by Him with the richest blessings of His providence. He . . .
spreads their tables,
supplies their needs, and
pours His favors upon them abundantly–though they . . .
blaspheme His name,
despise the mention of His grace, and
bid Him to depart from them, in disdain!
He preserves them from a variety of dangers, which would otherwise hurry them out of time into eternity.
He bears with them from day to day, and does not allow their wickedness to arouse His ire, to their immediate destruction. Who, besides Jehovah, would thus feed, preserve, warn, and bear with such obstinate, careless, provoking wretches? Surely none!
“What base rebellious wretches they;
And God as strangely kind!”
When, in His own time, any of His enemies are brought to discover their wickedness, feel their danger, desire to escape their deserved doom, and apply to Him–He freely pardons them, and forgets all their past unkindness!
When that monster of a man hung by the side of Jesus on the cross, mocking His dying agonies, reviling His dear name, and endeavoring to add to His tremendous sorrows–Jesus was as silent as one who heard not, as patient as one who felt not, and as kind as one who had been treated with all possible respect! For, no sooner does the bold blasphemer cry, “Lord remember me!” than Jesus answers, “Today you shall be with Me in paradise!”
And can you, O my Savior, freely and fully pardon such a wretch as that? Can you take him in Your arms, to paradise? Can you forget his scarlet crimes, the insults he offered, and the daring wickedness manifested by him but a few minutes before? “O Lord, there is none like You!”
The vile thief enters Heaven, to . . .
the astonishment of angels,
the confusion of devils,
the wonder of glorified saints, and
the honor of the dear, dear Redeemer!
Jesus not only fully pardons the penitent–but He cordially accepts him! He receives him as one of the dear objects of His love, and says to each and every one such, “I have blotted out your sins as a cloud, and your iniquities as a thick cloud!”
He kindly visits them, as though they had never acted unkindly toward Him; and constantly blesses them with spiritual, holy, and eternal blessings. He . . .
clothes them with the garments of His righteousness,
beautifies them with the graces of His Spirit,
comforts them with the promises of His love,
acknowledges them at His throne of grace,
defends them against their cruel and malicious foes,
tenderly expostulates with them when they wander from Him,
mercifully warns them of their dangers and foes,
kindly exhorts them to cleave close to Himself,
wisely corrects them when they wickedly stray, and
will crown them with glory at the end of their race!
And what returns does He frequently get for His kindness and love? Alas! alas! Too often, ingratitude, rebellion, hardness of heart, alienation of affection, forgetfulness of His mercies, and following after other lovers rather than Himself!
“O Lord, there is none like You!” 1 Chronicles 17:20
April 10, 2017 4 Comments
Dear wife, farewell!
(An excerpt from a letter by Christopher Love, to his wife, on the morning of his execution)
My most gracious beloved,
I am now going from a prison to a palace! I have finished my work. I am now to receive my wages. I am going to Heaven! Rejoice in my joy. The joy of the Lord is my strength. O, let it be yours also!
Dear wife, farewell! I will call you wife no more! I shall see your face no more! Yet I am not much troubled–for now I am going to meet the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom I shall be eternally married!
Your dying, yet most affectionate friend until death,
Christopher Love
August 22, 1651, the day of my glorification!
April 8, 2017 4 Comments
Are you hungry?
from Spurgeon’s sermon, “BREAD FOR THE HUNGRY”
We should come to hear the Word, like baby birds in the nest— when the mother-bird comes with the worm, they are all stretching their necks to see which one shall get the food, for they are all hungry and want it.
And so should hearers be ready to get hold of the Word, not wanting that we should force it down their throats, but waiting there, opening their mouths wide that they may be filled, receiving the Word in the love of it, taking in the Word as the thirsty earth drinks in the rain of heaven.
Hungry souls love the Word.
Perhaps the ‘speaker’ may not always put it as they may like to hear it, but as long as it is God’s Word, it is enough for them.
They are like people who are sitting at the reading of a will— the lawyer may have a squeaking voice, perhaps, or he mispronounces the words, but what does that matter? They are listening to see what is left to them.
So is it with God’s people. It is not the preacher, but the ‘preacher’s God’ that these hungry ones look to.
Why, if you were very poor, and some benevolent neighbor should send you a loaf of bread by a man who had a club foot, you would not look at the foot, you would look at the bread.
And so is it with the hearers of the Word– they know if they wait until they get a perfect preacher, they will get no preacher at all, but they are willing to take the man, imperfections and all, provided he brings the Master’s bread.
And though he be but a lad, and can bring but a few barley loaves and fishes, yet since the Master multiplies the provision, there is enough for all, and they feed to the full.
April 6, 2017 4 Comments
The life-boat of free grace!
(James Smith, “The Complaint!” 1864)
“I am cast down!”
And why are you cast down?
“My heart is burdened with a sense of my short-comings! Every duty I perform is so imperfect. Every purpose I form is so soon frustrated. Every hope of seeing better days is so soon beclouded.
My heart is so fearfully depraved.
My life is so unlike the life of Jesus.
My temper is so unholy.
My prayers are so brief and heartless.
My praises are so feeble and fitful.
I do so little good.
I live to so little purpose.
My evidences are so dim.
My prospects are so overcast.
I am harassed sometimes with the fear of death.
I cannot realize the glories of Heaven.
I am dissatisfied with the world — and yet glued to it!
I hate sin — and yet fall into it!
I am a riddle, a mystery, a mass of inconsistency!
Is it, then, any wonder that I am cast down?”
No, if you look at yourself, and pore over the things you have named — then it is no wonder that you are cast down! They are enough to cast anyone down! But if you carry them to the throne of grace, if you there confess them before God, if you look to Jesus to save you from them — then, in spite of them — you will not long be cast down.
I know it is difficult to do this. There is a natural proneness to pore over such things. One feels at times a secret liking to indulge in gloomy thoughts.
But we must look away from self — for if we do not, we shall become anxious, doubting and gloomy! We must run the race, not looking at our imperfections, short-comings, and failures — but looking unto Jesus. He knows what we are. He knew what we would be — before He called us by His grace; yes, before He shed His blood for us!
He loved us, as sinners.
He died for us, as sinners.
He called us, as sinners.
He saves us, as sinners. He will have all the glory of saving us, and He will get great glory by doing so, because we are such great sinners; and do not, cannot, do anything to repay Him for His wondrous love! Salvation is by free grace — from first to last! Believe this, and it will raise up your drooping mind!
The life-boat of free grace has put you on board the vessel of salvation, and that will convey you safely to the port of glory! Do not look at your spiritual destitution, or feebleness, or incapacity, or imperfections — but trust in your Pilot, rely on your Captain, and expect His mercy and merit to land you safe in Heaven at last!
As imperfect as you now are, and as imperfect you will be — your dying prayer will still be, “God be merciful unto me — a sinner!”
Hope in God!
His mercy is great unto the heavens,
His grace is as free as the air,
His love is as changeless as His nature,
His promise is as immutable as His love.
Hope in God, for you shall yet praise Him. He will save you for His own sake, and present you before assembled worlds as a monument of His mercy, and a trophy of His grace!
April 5, 2017 0 Comments
Amen! Such Wisdom shining through a beautiful photo! 😀
Have you ever visited the Grand Canyon? Standing on the rim, peering down into that immense chasm with its vast width and dizzying depths, it’s easy to be awestruck. There’s an overwhelming sense of majesty and downright terror that we feel while standing on the edge-especially if we’re afraid of heights. The fear of God is like that. It isn’t an unhealthy fear, but an overwhelming sense of sheer greatness of God himself.
Touring the Grand Canyon doesn’t diminish our sense of awe; it increases it. In the same way, having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ doesn’t lessen our fear of God; it enhances it.
The angels in heaven are in God’s direct presence, and their song reflects their worship, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
Familiarity with the Lord never…
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April 5, 2017 3 Comments
Deceitful & desperately wicked!
(William S. Plumer, “Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness”)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is DECEITFUL. Man is the only creature on earth that seems to practice self-deception. That we should sometimes deceive others, is proof of our depravity; but that we should spend our lives in self-deception, is truly astonishing! Men of the fewest virtues, commonly have the highest thoughts of themselves. How strange and yet how common, that he whose heart has deceived him a thousand times–should yet confide in it as if it had always been honest!
The human heart deceives every being but one. It would deceive Him–if He were not omniscient. None but God knows all the depths of iniquity and duplicity within us.
Though the language of the Bible is strong, it is just. God declares, and every Christian knows by sad experience–that his heart is deceitful above all things. A perfect knowledge of the treachery of our hearts, is possessed by none but God.
The heart is also VILE. It is “desperately wicked.”
It loves vanity, and folly and sin.
It hates holiness, and truth and divine restraints.
It is . . .
a sink of iniquity,
a pool of pestilential waters,
a cage of unclean birds, and
a sepulcher full of dead men’s bones!
It is torn by wild, fierce, unhallowed passions.
It rejects good–and chooses evil.
It is wholly corrupt.
It is full of evil.
There is no soundness in it.
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Matthew 15:19
“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool!” Proverbs 28:26
April 3, 2017 0 Comments
Suck the honey out of it!
Spurgeon’s sermon, “The Minstrel”
It is wonderful the effect of a single verse of Scripture when the Spirit of God applies it to the soul.
What power would come upon the soul, if we would grasp a single line of Scripture and suck the honey out of it till our soul is filled with sweetness.
April 2, 2017 0 Comments
Bible reading…
by Thomas Brooks–
“Remember that it is not hasty reading, but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths, that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul.
It is not the mere touching of the flower by the bee that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower that draws out the sweet.
It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most, that will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest, and strongest Christian.”
March 30, 2017 0 Comments
Read Your Bible
by Spurgeon
You know more about your ledgers than your Bible; you know more about your magazines and novels than what God has written; many of you will read a novel from the beginning to the end, and what have you got? A mouthful of foam when you are done. But you cannot re ad the Bible; that solid, lasting, substantial, and satisfying food goes uneaten, locked up in the cupboard of neglect; while anything that a man writes, a best seller of the day, is greedily devoured.
“I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”
Job 23:12
March 30, 2017 1 Comment
Slighted, disobeyed, and dishonored by His creatures on earth!
(Edward Payson, 1783-1827)
I look up to Heaven and there see the blessed and only Potentate, the Creator and Upholder of all things, the infinite and eternal Sovereign of the universe–governing His vast kingdom with uncontrollable power, in a manner perfectly wise and holy and just and good. In this Being, I see my Creator, my Preserver, my unwearied Benefactor–to whom I am indebted for everything which I possess.
And what does this Being see–what has He seen, in me? He sees a frail worm of the dust, who is of yesterday and knows nothing, who cannot take a single step without making mistakes, who is wholly incompetent to guide himself, and who, by his own folly, is self-destroyed. He has seen this frail, blind, erring worm, presumptuously daring to criticize and censure His proceedings, attempting to interfere in His government of the universe; and trying to set up his own perverse will against the will of his Creator, his Sovereign, and his God; his own ignorance–against divine omniscience, and his own folly–against infinite wisdom.
Should an angel who knew nothing of our characters, but who had heard of the blessings which God has bestowed on us, visit this world–would he not expect to find every part of it resounding with the praises of God and His love? Would he not expect to hear old and young, parents and children–all blessing God for the glad tidings of the gospel?
How, then, would he be grieved and disappointed! How astonished would he be to find that Being whom he had ever heard praised in the most rapturous strains by all the bright armies of Heaven–slighted, disobeyed, and dishonored by His creatures on earth!
O, then, let us strive to wipe away this foul stain–this disgrace to our race and our world.
Let not this world be the only place, except Hell–where God is not praised.
Let us not be the only creatures, except devils–who refuse to praise Him!
March 29, 2017 6 Comments
I went to a church not along ago — they got thirty acres. So what are their plans with it? They want their own football field and tennis courts. Dear God, do we go to church to learn to play tennis? God help the preachers!
We have such an accommodating Christianity today.
The best title of the professing church of God today, in my judgment, is “Unbelieving Believers.” There’s cancer in the church tonight!
At this grim hour, the world sleeps in the darkness — and the Church sleeps in the light.
You’ll never get me to believe that the church today believes in Hell.
We’re a million, billion miles away from New Testament Christianity!
I doubt if 5% of professing Christians in America are born again!
Entertainment is the devil’s substitute for joy. The more joy you have in the Lord, the less entertainment you need.
Is the world crucified to you — or does it fascinate you?
The apostles had no gold, but lots of glory. We have lots of gold, but no glory.
The book of Acts shows us the church before it became fat and short of breath by prosperity!
Who or what takes priority over God in our lives?
Where, oh, where are the eternity-conscious believers?
Where are the souls white-hot for God because they fear His holy name and presence and so live with eternity’s values in view?
There’s no cost of being a Christian!
I’d rather have ten people who want God — than 10,000 people who want to play church!
(Leonard Ravenhill)
March 28, 2017 3 Comments
“A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent”
John Calvin
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