From Authority:

The questions asked are ‘Why cannot we tough the masses which are outside? How can we establish contact? How can we make them listen to us? What can we do to give the Church authority in her preaching and in her pronouncements?’ But observe the ways in which many are trying to deal with the situation. They are saying, ‘The main trouble is, of course, that the church has not kept abreast of the times. She is not advertising herself as she should. Great businesses succeed by means of advertising.’…Other say, ‘No, that is not the way. What we need is social concern. The people after all are interested in material things and in social problems. The Church, therefore, must come down and show that she is taking greater interest in such matters…Others advocate that the only way to regain the authority is to make much greater use of sound radio and television. ‘Here is a great instrument and a great source of power,’ they say….Many feel that if we can but show that the modern Christian knows all about science, that he is not just a fool and an enthusiast, but that he really is very reasonable, intellectual and scientific, then the world will be more ready to listen…(Others) say that there is only one thing to do. ‘We must have a great world Church. If only we could become one and face the world together, it would then have to listen.’…We often quote, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord,’ and yet in practice we seem to rely upon the ‘might dollar’ and ‘the power of the press’ and advertising….We seem to have forgotten that God has done most of His deeds in the Church throughout its history through ‘remnants’….the Bible teaches plainly and clearly that God’s own method is always through the Spirit and His authority and power.

Our College and Career class has been studying 1 Timothy 4:12 and the idea of setting an example in your youth within the body of Christ. This week we are tackling the subject of setting an example in conduct. I was reminded this week of how important and encouraging a good conduct can be for others in the body, or how detrimental poor conduct can be.

My wife and kids went to the pool with a family from the school our children attend. This family attends another church and is trying to rear their children in a similar fashion to what we are. There must have been a bit of nervousness as to what would be worn at the pool, because the other mother told Heather she was glad our girls came in one piece bathing suits. She and her husband had just discussed what they were going to do with their girls about 2 piece bathing suits just the other night and had determined they would not allow them until their girls were married (this was a bit of a joke, but with the idea that the father did not want them dressing that way because of the attention it would bring).

For both Heather and this mom this simple issue was an encouragement to keep making stands and that there were others doing the same thing. It needs to be this way within the life of the body. If we do what is right it helps others to see they can make a stand and won’t be the only ones. Even if we are the only ones we know we must do what is right. However, as parents you get weary of doing what is right because you feel you are the only one whose kids don’t listen to this music, go to that movie, go to the dances, use certain words, or wear certain styles. We need each other’s support on the gray areas of our society. Our decisions on what to wear to the pool, what movies to see on Friday night, what music to listen to on our IPod, or a variety of daily decisions impact others within our body, even if they aren’t there. Our decision will either enforce what is right or make what is right harder to stand up for what is right.

ht: JH

Free speech does not protect a woman from being prosecuted for disorderly conduct after she continued to shout at police officers who warned her to stop, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled.

Latoya Blackman of Indianapolis began shouting “This is unconstitutional” and various obscenities at the officers as they arrested her brother on drug charges in front of their home in May 2005, according to court records. Officers told her to stop yelling and leave the scene, but she instead yelled even louder and a crowd began to gather.

I felt it would be good to point to this article as a case where the courts got it right. The courts get it right often, but we tend to focus on the times when we disagree rather than the many times we agree. This can be the case in all relationships, society, family, church, etc.. With shows like PTI, talk radio, and any newscast now we are trained to have our “own” opinion and to disagree. Today going against authority is often what we view as free thinking and intelligent. However, it is not the way of the Spirit.  We are to be discerning, not cynical or critical.

I must admit that prior to reading his brief biography in Meet the Puritans, I had never heard of James Janeway.

Janeway’s last years as preacher…were his most fruitful and yet most difficult.  In 1672, his supporters built a large meetinghouse for him…Janeway’s popularity so enraged Anglicans that several times they threatened to shoot him and actually attempted to do so twice.  One time, a bullet pierced his hat.  Another time, soldiers destroyed Janeway’s church building.  His congregation repaced in with a larger building.

After struggling several years with depression, Janeway contracted tuburculosis.

The two books we have in print are The Saint’s Encouragement to Diligence in Christ’s Service and A Token for Children.  The first is a work that encourages us to not grow weary in doing what is right, because our time is short to serve our Master.  The second is a complilation of Children’s testimonies of conversion.  Beeke recommends that all parents should read this and have our children read it.

I love the line,  soldiers destroyed Janeway’s church building.  His congregation repaced in with a larger building.  Couple that with his own depression and then a book that encourages us to not grow wearing in well doing, and what a testimony.  Don’t let anything destroy the work of our Master!  Our time is short, keep pressing on.

Gentleness is not spinelessness. Gentleness is a willingness to submit to the will of God.

Dr. Mohler has an interesting articlequoting various sources and adding his own commentary on why some are opposing this highly qualified nomination for Surgeon General. The opposition does not come because of any practice in this professional life, but rather votes in his local church and Methodist denomination.  Here is a quote from the end of Dr. Mohler’s article:

Dr. Holsinger’s record as a physician and public official is clear — he does not discriminate when it comes to medical treatment or health care.

So Dr. Holsinger is to be denied confirmation because as a member of his church’s highest tribunal he voted to uphold church doctrine and teaching? The Globeeven states that it would be somewhat assured if Dr. Holsinger would “renounce his previous views on homosexuality.”

The nomination of Dr. James Holsinger promises now to be a defining moment in American history. Will it now be necessary for a nominee to deny the teachings of his or her own church in order to be confirmed by the United States Senate?

In case you haven’t already heard the Desiring God Blog posted that there will be a Sale going on this week:

Every book in our store will be $5 on June 27-28, Wednesday and Thursday next week.

No limits, so spread the word.

(This sale is online only.)

They also list suggested books to buy if you have trouble making decisions.

In preparation for Men’s Monthly Prayer Time tomorrow morning I was gripped by the following paragraph from Mahaney’s book on humility.

Consider your life for just a moment. Where would you be today if He (Christ) hadn’t ransomed you, if He hadn’t liberated you? I’ll tell you where. You would be self-sufficient, seeking to cultivate self-confidence for the purpose of self-glorification.

Not the answer I was expecting, but exactly what I needed to hear. I was expecting something more along the lines of you would be in sin, lost, dead, wreched. C.J. Mahaney took it another direction to show us our true lostness. If Christ had not transformed me I would be pursuing what the world glorifies, self-sufficiency and self-confidence, and what often times seems good and produces great earthly sucess. However, I would have done it all for the purpose of self-glorification, and here lies my deadness, my lostness, my sin. What a wonderful Savior.

In chapter 24 of The Thought of God by Maurice Roberts:

Generally speaking, when we are depressed and dejected we shoud seek the remedy, not in prayer and fasting, but in fellowship and friendship. As Luther’s Letters wisely say, we ought not to go to prayer when we are depressed, but into the company of good people. Satan is always more menacing when we meet him on our own. Depression dislocates all the parts of the soul and paralyses our creative powers.

Depression often puts one into a difficult circle or tailspin to get out of. Satan wants us to think “this is just between you and God so don’t let anyone else help you,” when in reality this is the time we need the body of Christ and other believers the most. Roberts is not suggesting that prayer and fasting are wrong, but when one is depressed being alone with your thoughts is rarely a good thing. It is during these dark times that our sinful nature and satan would suggest to us to withdraw. However, we are instructed that body of Christ is to be there to build up, to encourage, to sorrow with one another, to uphold one another. It is there that the remedy for depression is most often found.