The Great God

O FOUNTAIN OF ALL GOOD,

Destroy me in every lofty thought,

Break pride to pieces and scatter it to the winds,

Annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness,

Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,

Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,

Open in me a fount of penitential tears,

Break me, then bind me up;

Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God;

Then can the Father take up his abode in me,

Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing in his touch,

Then can the Holy Spirit descend in sanctifying grace;

O Holy Trinity, three persons and one God,

inhabit me, a temple consecrated to thy glory.

When thou art present, evil cannot abide;

In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,

Beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,

By thy side no fears disturb,

no apprehensions banish rest of mind,

With thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;

Make me meet, through repentance,

for thine indwelling.

Nothing exceeds thy power,

Nothing is too great for thee to give.

Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love,

limitless thy grace, glorious thy saving name.

Let angels sing for

sinners repenting,

prodigals reclaimed,

Satan's captives released,

blind eyes opened,

broken hearts bound up,

the despondent cheered,

the self-righteous stripped,

the formalist driven from a refuge of lies,

the ignorant enlightened,

and saints built up in their holy faith.

I ask great things of a great God.

from "The Valley of Vision"

Love in the Truth.

Before the Throne of God Above!

I love Shane and Shane - that is no secret. But lately, I've just be drawn so much closer to God through their ministry. I think that is why I love them so much - it is quite simply the greatest compliment one can pay another. May you draw near to Him; He is most worthy of our praise.

Love in the Truth.

My Birthday - Just an (Extra)ordinary day!

It was just another day, another ordinary day. It was Saturday, September 18, 1999, and I had to work. Jen would drop me off at the bus stop, and I would hop the red and white rocket - OC Transpo - to work. She would then go grocery shopping with Cameron. I know this all sounds way too exciting to continue reading; like I said, just an ordinary day.

I had come to hate Saturday's. The past few weeks however, Saturdays were getting a little better. We had begun to go to a Saturday evening church service downtown, and strangely enough, I enjoyed it. The people seemed nice, the worship music was great, the preacher was - well he was Eric! You see, I was a salesman, and a good one at that if I do say so myself - and I do! Anyway, Eric was a good speaker, but he always reminded of a used car guy. If you know Eric, I trust you can laugh at that. If you don't know Eric; you should still laugh. Seriously, I loved Eric! My problem was that I was dead. I thought I was living but in reality I was not.

Over the course of a few Saturday nights at City Church, I had heard the gospel many times. I believed it to be true, just not for me. I was beyond that forgiveness; I would have to do something else to make up for my life. Plus week after week I would see the same people running down the aisle getting "saved" all over again? Made no sense to me. "What was the point of getting saved if God couldn't "close the deal", the salesman in me would ask. If they could "lose" it, I would "lose" it because I didn't want it. Check that - I did want it, but I didn't think I needed it!

But, I did...

So, another day of work came to end and we were off to church (well first we made a pit stop at Timmies - some things never change). It was the strangest feeling when we arrived, for the first time, I felt like I didn't belong there. The evening went on and now, it was time for Eric. What Eric was going to talk about that night changed he later told me. He got up to read scripture. He intended to read Isaiah 42:1-9 ; he got as far as "Behold my servant..."

For the next hour at least, all eric talked about was Jesus - His holiness, His righteousness, His glory, His infinite greatness, His wrath. He wanted us to "Behold" who God was and for the first time I did just that. Honestly, I was terrified. I didn't want Jesus; I needed Him! I knew my sin was great and I was in trouble if I had to stand before that God, and I did. So, I begged Him for mercy and He gave me grace.

That was ten years ago today! Let me be perfectly clear - many of those years were very difficult, but I can say with full assurance that I love the Lord. And, more importantly, He loves me.

"For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, and do them." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree" - so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith." Galatians 3:10-14

"There are two things I know for sure. I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great Saviour."

Thank you Lord calling me your child.

Love in the Truth.

Husbands: lead your wife to godliness.

I remember watching an interview not that long ago with Matt Redman discussing his music, and in particular the lyrics of his songs. The discussion centred on men feeling uncomfortable singing a "love" song to man - even if it is Christ. Redman said something very interesting at the time. He said; "the church is under-fathered and over-mothered".

That got me thinking why is that? I knew the answer as I think we all do. Men are failing in their calling as the spiritual leader in the home. On that same note, my friend Nielson Unger has a great post over at First Your Faith. Here's a sample:

"Satan indirectly attacked Adam through his wife and some people say it’s because the woman is the weaker sex. I’m also not seeing too much strength here from Adam and I don’t see too much strength in the men of our local churches. Husbands, where is your godly leadership? Where is the revelation of God’s word in your life that flows over onto your wife? Where are the godly men that protect and guard their wives and are ready to strike the snakes with a shovel? Where are our protectors of God’s word because the attackers and adversaries are out there! If we as husbands are not actively guarding our wives by sharing God’s revelation to them, we are leaving them prone and vulnerable to satanic powers prowling around seeking to devour them."

Check out the rest of the post for yourself and then ask yourself, "how am I doing in my role as leader?" And not just of your wife - for those of us with children - how are we doing in leading our children to look past us to Christ as our example?

Love in the Truth.

I'll Be There; Will You?

Uprise will take place on:

Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at 7:00 PM

Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada,

White Pines Community Theatre

1007 Trunk Road

P6A 5K9

Here's some links for more info:

1. Facebook
2. Uprise!

Now I know that many who read this may not actually be able to attend in person, but you can still pray! Or you can do the same for your city, town, community - you get the idea.

I am also well aware of the fact that many of those who do attend may not be on the same page theologically that I'm on, but I'm still going (I've done my homework - we're all good on essentials).

May we who know, love, and embrace - unashamedly - the Doctrines of Grace never be accused of a lack of love for the Church, a lack of passion for missions, and lack of obedience toward the great commission.

If you have no concern for the lost, than you are not saved yourself; Be sure of that! Charles H. Spurgeon

We too were once dead, walking after the world, living only for the flesh, hating God. We were by nature "children of wrath" (Eph. 2:1-3).

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved..."

Love in the Truth.

James 3: A Story

This short and deeply convicting film was shown at the 2008 Desiring God conference:

James 3:10
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Ouch! Let us seek the face of our God in repentance. As men of God, we are called to lead our homes in godliness. How are you making out in this area man of God?

Love in the Truth.
HT/Before the Foundation

It's TEBOW Time!

Today begins the quest for a third national championship in four years as well as the quest for a second Heisman Trophy for "Superman" - AKA - Tim Tebow. I love the Gators; I have for as long as I can remember. The fact that Tim Tebow is our quarterback is an added bonus - let's just say that I'm also a huge fan of the Providence of God! Here's a little video sampling of TEBOW to get you pumped for the season - GO GATORS...CHOMP!

Love in the Truth!

Totally Dependent on Sovereign Grace

Love in the Truth.

August '09 Reading

WHY WE'RE NOT EMERGENT: By Two Guys Who Should Be;Kevin DeYoung, Ted Kluck.

Outstanding! Very easy to read and very well written. The authors show grace on every page; they preach the truth in love - but sometimes the truth hurts. Really looking forward to hearing "Why {they} Love the Church.

The Truth War: Fighting For Certainty In An Age Of Deception; John MacArthur.

MacArthur is straight forward and brutally honest in his defense of the Truth. In typical MacArthur fashion he is thoroughly biblical, wielding the sword of truth like few can. This should be required reading for every church. One suggestion - don't read it right after "Why We're Not Emergent" like I did!

Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ; John Piper.

The title alone makes one begin to think deeply about God; and that is a good thing! A robust understanding of the sovereignty of God in all things - including sin - can only benefit His children. Ultimately, we are brought to the foot of the cross in awe of what was accomplished there. I thought my vision of Christ was big until I read this book.

JUST DO SOMETHING; Kevin DeYoung.

If you haven't yet read this book - repent - and then get it! Don't pray about it or wait for a "liver shiver" just read it. The most common question in the "church" today is, "what is God's will for my life?" Kevin DeYoung gives us the answer - the biblical answer. The next time I get asked that question, this is the book I will recommend without hesitation.

Finally Alive: What Happens When We Are Born Again?; John Piper.

I love John Piper. This is quite possibly the best book he has written - that says a lot in itself. It is without question, his most important work to date. The doctrine of the new birth is so majestic and so beautiful and so hidden to so many "professing" Christians! "God is the great Doer in this miracle...And He has not been silent about it." This will be required reading in the church I shepherd.

Love in the Truth.

Quotable 8

"Sin turns all God's grace into wantonness; it is the dare of his justice, the rape of his mercy, the jeer of his patience, the slight of his power, and the contempt of his love."

"The gospel of grace and salvation is above all doctrines the most dangerous, if it be received in word only by graceless men; if it be not attended with a sensible need of a Saviour, and bring them to him. For such men as have only the notion of it, are of all men most miserable; for by reason of their knowing more than heathens, this shall only be their final portion, that they shall have greater stripes."

"Nothing hinders a soul from coming to Christ, than a vain love of the world; and till a soul is freed from it, it can never have a true love for God."

The quotes are all taken from The Works of John Bunyan, volume 1.

Love in the Truth.