For Those that might be Suffering - Octavious Winslow

Octavious Winslow is quick becoming one of my favourite writers, I thought I would share a quote that I read this morning in his devotional writings:

What is the glory of science—of learning—of rank—of wealth, but a tinseled pageant, a meteor blazing for a moment, and then disappearing in eternal night? But the glory that awaits the suffering Christian is a real, a substantial glory. At present it is veiled. The world sees it not; the believer only beholds it through faith's telescope. But the day of its full, unclouded revelation awaits us. It draws near. It will be a glory revealed in us. This truth may be startling to some. "What!" they exclaim, "a glory to be revealed in me! In me, who can scarcely reflect a solitary ray of light! In me, so dark, so sinful, living at so remote a distance from communion with the Father of lights! Can it be that in me this glory will be revealed?" So affirms the word of our God. If a child of the light, dwelling, it may be, in the world's shade, and often called to walk in great darkness, you shall one day outshine the brightness of the firmament and the stars forever and ever.

Be encouraged in your struggles this morning, YOU will one day outshine the firmament of the stars!  Meditate on that today and let the Holy Spirit encourage your soul.

God Bless.

Gay Church of Scotland Trainee Minister

Sadly, certain sections of the Church of Scotland have failed to adhere to the agreement reached at the General Assembly in May which instructed, Presbyteries to observe a moratorium on ordinations and inductions which might appear to prejudice the Special Commission on human sexuality before it reports.

Despite this agreement the church has nominated a homosexual man who is in a civil partnership for training for the ministry. It seems that some have already made up their minds as to the outcome of the Special Commission. You can get the whole story from the "Kirkmuirhill Rev" blog by following the links below:

Presbyterianism - RIP
Hamilton Presbytery - Revisited
Hamilton Headlines the Herald
Hamilton Bandwagon
The Plot Thickens

Pray for those in the Church of Scotland who are standing for biblical orthodoxy

The Valley of Vision - The Throne

It was my birthday recently and a big birthday at that. I received many wonderful presents from family and friends one of which was an inspiring book of Puritan prayers edited by Arthur Bennett. I thought I might share one or two of them with you. This one is entitled, "The Throne",

Thy Throne of grace is the pleasure ground of my soul.
Here I obtain mercy in time of need,

here see the smile of thy reconciled face,

here joy pleads the name of Jesus,
here I sharpen the sword of the Spirit,

anoint the shield of faith,
put on the helmet of salvation,
gather manna from thy Word,
am strengthend for each conflict,
nerved for the upward race,
empowered to conquer every foe;;

Help me to come to Christ

as the fountainhead of descending blessings,
as the wide open flood-gate of mercy.

I marvel at my insensate folly, that

with such enriching favours within my reach
I am slow to extend the hand to take them

Have mercy upon my deadness for thy Name's sake.
Quicken me, stir me, fill me with holy zeal.
Strengthen me that I may cling to thee
and not let thee go.
May they Spirit within me draw all blessings
from thy hand.
When I advance not, I backslide.
Let me walk humbly because of good omitted
and evil done.
Impress on my mind the shortness of time,

the work to be engaged in,
the account to be rendered,
the nearness of eternity,
the fearful sin of despising thy Spirit.

May I never forget that

thy eye always sees,
thy ear always hears,
thy recording hand always writes.

May I never give thee rest until Christ is

the pulse of my heart
the spokesman of my lips,
the lamp of my feet.

Typhoon Morakot

I thought I would share some images that will highlight the plight of the people that are being affected by Typhoon Morakot.  

 As you can see these are terribly distressing times. Please be in much prayer for these people and especially for out brothers & sisters in Christ who find themselves in difficulty as a result of this typhoon.

 

 

Supporters of World Mission or Doers of World Mission?

These are photos of an unknown Amazon Basin tribe that are believed to have had no contact with the world, and in fact, there are believed to be over a 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide! An aerial survey unit discovered the tribe.


This got me thinking as to what strategy PEC (Plains Evangelical Church) has for reaching these tribes? Oh I don't mean what missionary organisation do we plan to support, I mean what are we going to do about it. I wonder if John's Command to not love the World in 1st John extends to realising that bringing up our kids with the notion to go to the ends of the world to face the possibility of death for the sake of the Gospel and for the Glory of our God is a valid ambition? Do we believe that among the many kids that we have around PEC now could be the person that God would use to reach this unknown group of people in the Amazon basin, and if we look at ourselves honestly, would we encourage our kids with this Godly desire? I know for myself I am not sure!


Lets pray that we are a church who not only support world missions, but also seek to become a part of world missions!

For the Glory of our God
Jim