Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Hey folks. Things have calmed down here in New Hampshire as far as the snow and bad weather. Tonight we have a Carol Sing at a church member's home which will be nice.

I will most likely be absent from blogging over the holidays. I probably will not be active until the first week of January. January 8th is the New Hampshire Primary, and I may comment on that given it is the biggest thing to happen in the New Hampshire in January.

So until then, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Guest Preacher - Dec. 30 & Jan. 6

Rev. Tim Andrews will be giving me a break over the holidays. Thanks Tim, I really appreciate it!

Living in Narnia

I would send more photos, but they all look the same. Just with more snow. We have had 5 storms in less than 2 weeks and over 2 feet of snow in the backyard. The next time we see our grass will probably be March.

Yesterday it kept snowing and snowing and snowing and snowing. Nothing real heavy, but a constant snow shower off of the ocean. The expected 2-4 inches turned into 8-9 inches.

I very much felt like I was living in Narnia, where it is always Winter and never Christmas. Christmas is only a few days away, and at least in the immediate forecast, no more snow. Thank goodness! We could use the break.

Sermon Text: Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 9:6-7 (New American Standard Bible)

6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

I-35 & Isaiah 35

Anyone else read this article? Wow, how some people interpret the Bible. I have no problem praying and I admire the faithfulness of the people. But I do wonder about receiving a "revelation" from God.

Any thoughts?

A Return to Tradition - US News & World Article

I just got my latest issue of US New & World Report to see on the front cover, A Return to Ritual, Why modern worshipers, including Catholics & Jews and evangelicals, are embracing tradition. To read the online article, click here.

It features the emergent church, which I am not a fan of, but not surprised they are mentioned. They are a sub article entitled, Mixing Jesus with Java. Sounds like an emergent title.

Anyhow, I found it interesting that Communion and using Creeds is becoming important. I am not surprised, but I guess some are. One of the flaws of the contemporary worship is the elimination of liturgy. This article simply affirms that people find it helpful. I would agree. What do you think?

The Morning After

Just to give some perspective, a week ago their was not a pile of snow in front of the house. Now my reflector to tell the plow truck where the curb is almost gone! Since the first snowfall on Dec. 3, we have been covered in the white stuff.
I love it, and so do the kids. The only problem has been that ice dams have been building up on the edge of the house. Very annoying. It is going to be a White Christmas in Nashua, that is for sure!

NO Sunday Services

No surprise here, but Sunday Worship Services are cancelled because of the Nor'Easter. Stay home and stay safe.

Sermon Text: Jonah 4:1-4

Jonah 4:1 But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry.
Jonah 4:2 He prayed to the LORD and said, “Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.
Jonah 4:3 “Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.”
Jonah 4:4 The LORD said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?”

Prayer for Colorado

Just thought it would be important to remind everyone to pray for the Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and the folks at New Life Church in Colorado.

I have visited the church in the past on a trip to Colorado Springs, and I have known teens get involved in YWAM.

Very sad time for these folks during the holiday season.

I am ready!

At the risk of sounding like Anthony Smith, and if you do not know what I am talking about, read this article, I just wanted to let everyone know who I will be cheering for on Sunday when the Patriots & Steelers meet in Foxboro.

This is somewhat dangerous, but I am a risk taker. I live in New England, I like the Patriots, I would like to see them get a perfect season. But when it comes to loyalty, I will be pulling for the Steelers this Sunday as they play the Patriots.

I guess the old adage is right, You can take the boy out of Steeler Country, but you can't take the Steeler Country out of the boy.

You can be sure, I will be waving my terrible towel at 4:15 pm Sunday Afternoon.

Go Steelers!

Sermon Text: Jonah 3:5-10

Jonah 3:5 Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.
Jonah 3:6 When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes.
Jonah 3:7 He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water.
Jonah 3:8 “But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands.
Jonah 3:9 “Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.”
Jonah 3:10 When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.

This is one of the more annoying texts in Jonah from the perspective of the preacher. Here is a golden opportunity and Jonah seems disinterested and probably wishes they would not repent. I would love to have an opportunity like this! We will deal with this as well as God changing His mind. Should be interesting.

Can I get an amen from my ministry friends out there in cyberspace!

1st Winter Storm

It was only a couple of inches, but still nice to see! Last year snow did not come until mid January. It is still coming down, but very lightly. Here is a picture of the dog, "Aspen" playing in the snow in the backyard. She loves it!

Quote from Steve W. Brown

I am not sure how many of you know Steve Brown, but I think he is worth listening too and read. I have known about him for years, and it occurred to me that not too many folks outside the PCA have heard of Steve.

His conversion is interesting to say the least. A minister in a mainline church and was saved through the witness of several men. He is a very unconventional speaker, maybe too rough for some folks, but I have found him insightful.

Anyhow, from that time in his life, Steve began preaching from the Word of God. And on the back of his first ministry tapes was this quote. I have kept these tapes for years and I thought you might be interested to read it.

“A number of years ago I was a preacher without a message. I talked a lot, and had what I thought were some very good “ideas” But I was empty and shallow...ready to leave the ministry because I (and the people to whom I spoke) were tired of my ideas. My problem was that I had no authority except myself.

And then a sovereign, loving God through some obedient, loving brothers took the time to help me discover an absolute and reliable authority. That authority is the Bible. That discovery changed my life, and gave me a message. The message isn't mine, it is the message of God through His written Word. It is a high privilege to share that message with you in these tapes.

I would ask you to remember that the Father has only one perfect preacher. His name is Jesus. It is my prayer that you would meet Him in these tapes.”

Sunday Quote

A couple of people commented on this quote I had in the reflections page of the church bulletin. Our theme last Sunday was Thanksgiving.

Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this."

Nashua Telegraph Article

A church member read this article in the local newspaper. I may give these guys a call, just to see what there results have been and where they got their research and ideas to do this project.

They are trying to reach young adults in the Nashua area by meeting in Mezzanine locations, Barnes & Noble, Unos, Panera Bread.

I have heard of groups trying this, I was surprised to find out that here in Nashua someone was trying it. Very interesting.

Sermon Text: Jonah 2:10-3:4

Jonah 2:10 Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.
Jonah 3:1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
Jonah 3:2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.”
Jonah 3:3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days’ walk.
Jonah 3:4 Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”

Sacred Places - US News & World Report

This past Sunday I mentioned that Jonah was thinking of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem while in the belly of the great fish.

Jonah was probably wishing he was there, and as I have mentioned already, Jonah saw his homeland as a sacred place. Its one of the reasons he is trying to get so far away from Israel.

Anyhow, I talked about sacred places and I was surprised to see in my pile of unread mail this article by US News and World Report.

Very very interesting. Let me know what you think.

Sermon Text: Jonah 2:1-9

Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish,
Jonah 2:2 and he said,
“I called out of my distress to the LORD,
And He answered me.
I cried for help from the depth of Sheol;
You heard my voice.
Jonah 2:3 “For You had cast me into the deep,
Into the heart of the seas,
And the current engulfed me.
All Your breakers and billows passed over me.
Jonah 2:4 “So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight.
Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’
Jonah 2:5 “Water encompassed me to the point of death.
The great deep engulfed me,
Weeds were wrapped around my head.
Jonah 2:6 “I descended to the roots of the mountains.
The earth with its bars was around me forever,
But You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.
Jonah 2:7 “While I was fainting away,
I remembered the LORD,
And my prayer came to You,
Into Your holy temple.
Jonah 2:8 “Those who regard vain idols
Forsake their faithfulness,
Jonah 2:9 But I will sacrifice to You
With the voice of thanksgiving.
That which I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation is from the LORD.”

Quotes

Given the nature of the text this Sunday, it seems appropriate to discuss the supernatural in the Bible. I found C.S. Lewis helpful as we look at the event of Jonah being swallowed by a fish.


Quotes from Miracles, C.S. Lewis

“A miracle is empathically not an event without cause or without results. Its cause is the activity of God”

“If the ultimate Fact is not an abstraction but the living God, opaque by the very fullness of His binding actuality, then He might do things. He might work miracles. But would He? Many people of sincere piety feel He would not.”

“To be sure, God might be expected to make a better story than my friend. But it is a very long story, with a complicated plot; and we are not, perhaps, very attentive readers.”

“The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation. They say that God became Man. Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this.”