Blog

A WORD TO THE WEAK AND UNSEEN

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, The true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.” Revelation 3:7-9 I have recently become reaquainted with a series of lectures by Martyn Lloyd Jones entitled, “Preaching and Preachers”.  I find this material unparallelled in its depth and insight, which is consistent with all of MLJ’s publications and recorded interviews.  For a man not very impressive in…

“HE RESTORES MY SOUL”

“He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3 Last week we were glad to welcome to NCC a number of high school students as part of their school’s “service day”.  They brought with them an enthusiam and readiness to put their hands to whatever we planned for them to do.  And we had just the right project waiting for…

ABIDE IN CHRIST

the believer’s New Year’s Resolution: ABIDE IN CHRIST ”And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”    1 Corinthians 1:30 I am currently rereading a book entitled, “Abide In Christ” written by Andrew Murray.  The book is clearly based off the parable…

DON’T DESPISE DISCIPLINE

“Nathan said to David, “You are the man!”   2 Samuel 12:7 God has blessed me to be a part of an accountability group for men in pastoral ministry.  Once a month the men take turns “sitting on the hot seat” and sharing about certain things happening in their particular ministry context and personal life.  In addition to having…

WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”.  1 Corinthians 11:1 I get psychologically charged whenever we’re preparing to visit my in-laws cabin in northern Wisconsin.  For me (and Leah) that place provides the ultimate opportunity for rest and spiritual reflection.  There’s nothing quite like it.  The only sounds to be heard is the sonnet…

THE TREASURE OF CHRISTIAN BIOGRAPHY

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”.  1 Corinthians 11:1 Today I want to briefly share with you a practice that Leah and I have cultivated and enjoyed as we have together pursued God and served Him in ministry.  It is the discipline of reading Christian biographies. I call it a discipline in that, as with…

THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES

“The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Matthew 13:22 Wow, this is a truly beautiful place to live. I found myself speaking those words out loud last week during our vacation…

THE AUDACITY TO BELIEVE AGAINST ALL HOPE

“The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites in their hand, lest Israel boast over  Me, saying ‘My own hand has saved me’” Judges 7:2 As Russia’s military moves forward in their invasion of Ukraine, the world sort of watches with a collective mixture of sadness…

THE CO-OPERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.”  1 Corinthians 3:1 There was a time when Hollywood and the general public seem to have this obsession with child celebrities.  I don’t know if that is still the case today.  But when I was growing up, kids…