Great Quotes...

Concerning Postmodern Paganism: Nothing New Under The Sun

"Our enemy who prides itself in being very modern, is as old as the hills; and from the very beginning, the Christian Church has been menaced by…all-embracing paganism." J. Gresham Machen in 1925

"The fundamental problem has always been, is still and always will be till the end, Christianity or Paganism, the idols or the living God." Abraham Kuyper in 1898

"The Existence of God and Pain" by Michael Ramsden

In his commentary "The Existence of God and Pain" Michael Ramsden makes the following excellent comment: "Maybe we struggle with suffering so much in the West because we are so comfortable most of the time that we feel we don't need God. We do not rely on Him on a daily basis, and so we do not really know Him. When suffering comes along, therefore, it is not so much that it takes us away from God, but that it reveals to us that we have not really been close to God in the first place."

Breakfast Schedule for February and March

2/7 Hutchins
2/14 Sims
2/21 Belcher
2/28 Johnston
3/7 Crists
3/14 Burz.
3/21 Houston
3/28 Gramm

Bible Study Guide: James 4:13-17

1. Verse 13

• Who amongst these professing believers is saying "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit."

2. Verse 14

• What does verse 14 say about man? Are there other passages of Scripture that parallel this concept?
• Does it appear that James is condemning the planning for the future in verses 13 and 14?

3. Verse 15

• What attribute of God does James have in mind?

4. Verse 16

• What does verse 16 reveal about these professing believers?
• What does James mean by the verbs boast and boasting?
• What does James mean by arrogance?
• Why is boasting evil?

5. Verse 17

• What does James mean by the right thing?
• How does someone know the right thing?
• What does verse 17 mean?

A Meditation on Job 23:12

"I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food."

In this passage Job defends himself and says that he has followed the LORD and His commandments. He calls them the commandments of His lips. This of course is a reference to the Word of God. He continues by saying that he has treasured the Word of God more than food. Job, in his defense of his integrity, says that he loves the Word of God so much that God’s Word is more precious to him than food. I would argue that this is the sentiment of a true Christian hedonist. Not to mention a Christian hedonist who has lost everything except his love for God.

Would we have such a love living with Job’s circumstances? Better yet, do we have such love at the expense of sustenance and pleasure?

"Feast of the Epiphany: The One True Avatar" by Peter Jones

Jones' commentary on the movie "Avatar" would be a good read for the curious- both those who want to see the movie and those who would appreciate a Christian response from someone who is familiar with the paganism in our culture.

Great Quotes: Charles Spurgeon

"The 'doctrines of grace' produce . . . a fine morality, a stern integrity, a delicate purity, a devout holiness, consecration in life, calm resignation in the hour of suffering, joyful confidence in the article of death. This must be a true gospel--which can produce such lives as these!"

Bible Study Guide: James 4: 11-12

1. Verse 11

• What does James mean by "speaking evil" against one another?
• How can James connect speaking against a brother with judging a brother?
• What does James mean by "law"?
• What does James mean by "judging the law"?

2. Verse 12

• Why do you think James mentions the "one lawgiver"?
• How do you think these believers were judging their neighbor?

"The Hypersocialized Generation" by Al Mohler

Mohler makes the following comment in his commentary on the problem of hypersocialization amongst America's young people: "Among young Christians, what space is left for the development of a devotional life? Do their lives contain any space for extended quiet and reflection, for prayer, or for reading anything longer than a text message?" The same question could be asked of the believing adults of our nation.

God- Entranced Worldview: Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections

What are your affections? Some of the believers that James was writing to had affections for worldly things. Edwards would have considered such consistent affections as a sign of unbelief. What do you think?

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