Church Blog (Page 2)
Doggie Bag … leftovers from M.E.A.T. (men enthusiastic about theology)
If you missed our first M.E.A.T.ing on March 3rd, here is a summary of our discussion: Remember, this is a retooling of a class I took in Seminary under Dr. Gaffin. I am not careful in it to distinguish his work or wording from my own. As we set out on our journey through the “Doctrine of Christ”, we thought it best to discover what we mean by “doctrine”. Broadly, when we are talking about “doctrine”, we are doing theology…
Anatomy of an Arrogant Heart
As we read the Scriptures it becomes clear that there are only two types of hearts within man: either a proud heart or a humble heart. The proud heart does not recognize a need for God and attempts to live life without any acknowledgement of Him. In contrast, the humble heart not only recognizes the need for God, but also demonstrates that recognition by relying on Him to provide everything necessary to live life in this fallen world. James 4:10…
Announcements
Announcements Boardwalk Chapel Trip: July 20-27. Rising 9th graders and up who are communicant members are invited to apply. Application attached below. [ddownload id=”12921″ text=”BWC Application 2019″] [ddownload id=”12922″ text=”BWC Guidelines and Expectations 2019″] [ddownload id=”12923″ text=”BWC Support Letter Recommendations”]
Christmas Casts Out Fear
The squeaky brakes on the garbage truck outside our house earlier this morning alerted our 6-month old puppy Indiana to start barking at the inside of our front door. Although the dependable trash collectors had already gone on to others streets and houses when we finally went outside, Indy still went straightway to the trash cans and barked ferociously until I was able to convince her that the threat from the two empty containers was minimal, if not non-existent. Silly…
Puppies and the Purifying Providence of God
A week ago Sunday, we adopted a 17 week old, 24 lb. puppy from a Dog Rescue group. We named the dog Indiana. One day later, my new prescription glasses came in the mail. This past Sunday morning I preached on giving thanks in all circumstances and in the evening was blessed by a lesson on contentment in the midst of this fallen world at the meeting of Living Stones youth group. One more thing to factor in: I actually…
20150802 Congregational Meeting Information
Tim’s Call and It’s Breakdown As you prepare for the congregational meeting, here is the language of the call we will be voting on: Timothy Wayne Flora, The congregation of Living Hope Presbyterian Church being, on sufficient grounds, well satisfied with the ministerial qualifications of you Timothy Flora, and having good hopes that your ministrations in the gospel will be profitable to our spiritual interests, do earnestly call and desire you to undertake the pastoral office in said congregation; promising…
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
One mistake many evangelicals make is to overstate the discontinuity, the change that takes place in the transition from Old Testament to New Testament. This is most evident when it comes to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. [dropshadowbox align=”right” effect=”lifted-both” width=”250px” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]How did the Holy Spirit function in the lives of believers in the Old Testament? Is the difference between a New Testament believer and an Old Testament believer a matter of one having the…
Federal Vision – A Summary for M.E.A.T.
Note: The following is an in-house summary of the Federal Vision for our men’s theology discussion group. It is a summary, not a scholarly critique. It is intended to give some orientation to the doctrinal distinctives of the Federal Vision and to contrast them with traditional reformed orthodoxy. It is not intended to engage any of the individual proponents of the Federal Vision, and it intentionally paints with a broad brush. I am merely attempting to help the group see…
Truth Telling Above All – James 5:12
As James brings his letter to a close, he insists that we watch out for one another, care for one another. We are a redeemed and redeeming community. And as James introduces the end of his letter, he sets the most important thing first. “Above all,” he says, we must speak truth in love. Throughout history, some have thought this verse prohibited all oath taking. But oaths have always had a place in the administration of justice, and God is…
Justin Parke’s Presuppositional Gospel Tract (originally published on monergism.com)
What is God like? The answer to this question is that, although you may not know Him as you ought, you already know what He is like! The wondrous design of the natural world, the beauty of a star-studded sky, the fascinating laws of physics all testify to the glory and majesty of God. Every one of us has knowledge of Him. Perhaps you are an artist — then you’ve glimpsed the mind of the God who spoke creation into…
Responding to Injury with Patient Endurance – James 5:7-11
A Warning and a Hope As James issues his stark warning to the unrepentant oppressors, he offers the faithful a word of comfort. And the occasion for both is the same: Jesus is coming back soon. And when he returns, it will not be as servant, but as king, as judge. While we all need to heed the warning of James 4:13-17 lest we be condemned (James 5:1-6). We can also take comfort in the coming of the judge. He…
Holey versus Holy
Those who refused to heed the cautionary words at the end of chapter 4 should anticipate the harshest judgment. They are told to week and howl for the miseries that are coming upon them. But who are these ‘rich’ people? Is this a blanket condemnation of the wealthy? What is the crime they have committed? Laid up Treasure At the most basic level, the crime they are charged with is ‘laying up treasure’. But saving money is not sinful. The…