Follow Us

If you have not bookmarked our page with our new link or if you are using another means come follow us at http://www.thehavensc.com. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

CHARLIE WINGARD: R.C. Sproul on "Free Will"

CHARLIE WINGARD: R.C. Sproul on "Free Will"

Holiness; 3. Holiness (Practical) part 2a; JC Ryle

II. Some Reasons Why Practical Holiness is so Important "Without holiness, no one will see thew Lord" a) we must be holy, because the voice of God in Scripture plainly commands it b) we must be holy, because this is one grand end and purpose for which Christ came into the world c) we must be holy, because this is the only sound evidence that we have saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ "True faith will always show itself by its fruits-it will sanctify, it will work by love, it will overcome the world, it will purify the heart." "The only safe evidence that we are one with Christ, and Christ in us, is a holy life. They that live unto the Lord are generally the only people who die in the Lord." d) we must be holy, because this is the only proof that we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerrity "Cold must our hearts be if we do not hate sin and labour to get rid of it, though we may have to cut off the right hand and pluck out the right eye in doing it." e) we must be holy, because this is the only sound evidence that we are true children of God "Say not, that thou hast royal blood in thy veins , and are born of God, except thou canst prove thy pedigree bt daring to be holy." - Gurnall f) we must be holy, because this is the most likely way to do good to others "I believe there is far more harm done by unholy and inconsistent Christians than we are aware of g) we must be holy, because our present cpmfort depends much upon it h) we must be holy, because without holiness on earth we shall never be prepared to enjoy heaven "Each will rise again with the same character in which he breathed his last." [He sets forth 3 'Now perhaps' statements which every Christian should think about but I would urge you to get the book and read] "To reach the holiday of glory, we must pass through the training school of grace. We must be heavenly-minded, and have heavenly tastes, in the life that now is, or else we shall never find ourselves in heaven, in the life to come." Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Holiness; 3. Holiness (Practical) part 1; JC Ryle (points d-l)

d) a holy man will follow after meekness, longsuffering, gentleness, patience, kind tempers, government of his tongue. He will: - bear much - forbear much - overlook much - be slow to talk of standing on his rights e) a holy man will follow after temperance and self-denial He will: - labour to mortify the desires to his body - to crucify his flesh with his affections and lusts - to curb his passions - to restrain his carnal inclinations f) a holy man will follow after charity and brotherly kindness. He will abhor: - all lying - slandering - backbiting - cheating - dishonesty - unfair dealing g) a holy man will follow after a spirit of mercy and benevolence towards others h) a holy man will follow after purity of heart i) a holy man will follow after the fear of God j) a holy man will follow after humility k) a holy man will follow after faithfulness in all the duties and relations of life l) a holy man will follow after spiritual mindedness "He will aim to live like one whose treasure is in heaven, and to pass through this world like a stranger and pilgrim travelling to his home." "The work of sanctification within him is like the wall of Jerusalem - the building goes forward "even in troublous times" (Dan. 9:25). "I do not understand how a man can be a true believer unto whom sin is not the greatest burden, sorrow, and trouble." - Owen Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The Office: Summer Vacation

Why we love The Office Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Flat Out Strangers (Robbie Grice) at Doc's Gumbo Grille Wednesday night 6:56 Sharp

Flat Out Strangers at Doc's Wednesday night 6:56 Sharp Stump Meetin Speech of Sputter Jones, Dixiecrat Candidate fer Governor of the sovereign state of South Cackalacky. Delivered on July 4th, 1999.   Howdy friends and neighbors, m y'all know me. My name is Sputter Jones, I'm a farmer jest like you,  and I approve this message. I'd like ta open with a joke that spells out my platform perty gud.   Q: How many hillbillies does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: None cause they aint got no electricity in the trailer out in Blair and Pappy dun got his fangers cut off anyways at the sawmill and Bo's was blown off with a M-80 while he was a'fishin down by the Nuculer Plant ketchin them big ole basses with the glowin eyes what mama cooks over a open far and feeds them chirren with in the dark cause they aint got no power.   This here is a defamation of my character and the character of all the gud folks of the midlands of South Cackalacky. I resent this kinda yankee-sympathizing-carpet-baggin-brainwarshin-keepin-the-cracker-down remark. I bin a'livin in the midlands area of thischere state nigh on 50 years and I ain't never bin called no hillbilly. Why, we aint even got no hills to speak of down here… I'll show them Warshington fellers, by golly, who's a hillbilly! I'll take a two by four to 'em.   Anyways, ifn ye votes fer me, I'll kerrect thischer problem and we won't never be called hillbillies no more. I won't be a'shakin hands this go-round cause I got my fangers cut off in the fan belt of a '68 Firebird me and Peanut's bin a'reb. Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Noël Piper @ Capital Hill Baptist

Mrs. John Piper will be speaking at the Capital Hill Baptist Church 2007 Conference 2007 Women's Conference "The Psalm 91 Woman" She will be speaking on "The Psalm 91 Woman"--a meditation on living as a godly woman without fear. She will explore how this psalm speaks to women today as we strive for godliness in our busy, modern lives. When: October 12-13, 2007 Where: Capitol Hill Baptist Church The conference runs from 3-9pm on Friday and 9-1pm on Saturday. I believe the cost is only $45. To Register or find out more information, visit this link: http://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/CC_Content_Page/0,,PTID324006%7CCHID715254,00.html Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Proverbs 31:10-12

Here's the Meditation passage: "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life." - Proverbs 31:10-12 - http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Proverbs+31 <http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Proverbs+31> Each week World Magazine Blog offers a text to Meditate upon. From World Magazine's Blog http://www.worldmagblog.com/blog/archives/031879.html Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fridays are for Boy Days

This morning I THOUGHT jmejr and I were fully aware and understood that we were going to go to Lowe's. Not for anything special, so if we did not go, it's not like we'd be "hurting for anything". JMEjr must have known this because even though we spoke about it all yesterday and last night, prior to putting him to bed, when he woke up this morning, all he wanted to do was play outside. So we did. Here are some pictures from our adventures this morning. some dogs point and hunt dove, quail, squirrel. ours...she hunts ...lizards!!! 3 to be exact. from 4" long w/tail to 8" long w/tail. ferocious they were actually she's a great retriever of ducks, dove, or just about anything you throw. we built a raft for our "river" we a had our own game of olympics with the tricyle louge (sp?) i also allowed jmejr to test his photography skills. there are actually some really neat perspectives on a couple of them. Y'all we ran out of space on another Picasa Account so be sure to see our most current link (which is at the right). Though we still have recent pictures from today on Picasa Web Album 2, there are a dozen or so on our Most Recent Album one also. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Choices

Challies wrote an interesting piece which we all have thought about and attempted to place on paper or remember that we thought about it about "choices we are given" and have they spoiled us. The answer is yes. Spoilt for Choice (Challies.com) Well how have "choices" crept their way into parenting and how have they affected our parenting and our children? Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Blog Review Opportunity (Between Two Worlds)

If you would like to receive a free book, it will only cost you time and some "thought" but in the end, it will be worth it. Visit this link: Between Two Worlds: Blog Review Opportunity

Holiness; 3. Holiness (Practical) part 1; JC Ryle

On to chapter 3, titled 'Holiness' in our weekly reading with Challies.com 's Reading Group. I am now convinced more than ever that this book is a definite must for every household along with the Bible, and a copy of the Westminster Confession. Chapter 3 'Holiness' or 'Practical Holiness' I. What true practical holiness is - What sort of persons are those whom God calls holy a) holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God Habit of: agreeing in God's judgement hating what He hates loving what He loves measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word "He who most entirely agrees with God, he is the most holy man." b) a holy man will endeavour to shun every known sin, and to keep every known commandment He will have: a decided bent of mind toward God a hearty desire to do His will a greater fear of displeasing Him than of displeasing the world a love to all His ways "I delight in the law of God after the inward man" (Rm. 7:22). "I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right. And I hate every false way" (Psm. 119:128). c) a holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ He will be as Jesus was: by living the life of faith in Him by drawing from Him all his daily peace and strength by labouring to have the mind that Jesus has by conforming to His image by being unselfish by walking in love by being lowly-minded and humble by being a faithful witness for the truth by not doing your own by knowing it is your meat and drink to do your Father's will by continually denying yourself in order to minister to others by being meek and patient by thinking more of godly poor men than of kings by being full of love and compassion by being bold and uncompromising in denouncing sin by seeking NOT the praise of men by going about doing good by seperating from worldly people by being continued instant in prayer by NOT even allowing your nearest relations stand in your way when God's work has to be done "These things a holy man will try to remember and by them he will endeavour to shape his course of life." "Happy is he who has learned to make Christ his "all," both for salvation AND example!" d) e) f) g) h) i) j) k) l) Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

A Busy Week

This week has been a busy week and have not been able to post much, though much ahas happene. How can not much happen with an 8 month old and 27 month old. On Wednesday evening, jmejr and I went out on a date. We went to Best Buy and then to Chick Fil A for dinner. This gave my WLW some time to herself with the Jitterbug. JMEjr was very comical in the store and said hello to almost everyone there. We purcahsed him two movies, another Uhg (Backyardiagans) and a Thomas the Train actual 86 minute movie. Last night, we had several folks into our home for dinner. The Pages, David Jones, The Greenwoods, our newest family member and good friend "Doc Doc Meg Meg" (who will be going back to Charleston either Friday or Saturday. her friendship and humor and attentiveness to our children will be missed), Lah-Lah and ourselves. Many around the table. There was much laughter and talk. Emily Greenwood is expecting their first child in October or anyday soon. They are a sweet couple. Today is Friday and jmejr and I will head off soon to do ur Friday is for Boyss day experiences. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Quotable Quotes

Words to Parents of College Students Ligon Duncan posts these comments by William Still, late pastor Gilcomston South Church, Aberdeen, Scotland: "Every autumn I have a spate of letters from fond parents, teachers, guardians, and monitors, appealing to me to follow up on such and such a youngster who is away from home at college for the first time, and who has to be hunted, followed, shadowed, intercepted and driven to Christian meetings. I have scarcely ever known this desperate technique to work. I understand the panic of parents and guardians, but it is too late then to try high pressure tactics. Prayer, example and precept, in that order, are the means of bringing up children and young folk in the faith. Nor will high pressure tactics and brainwashing techniques avail when young folk have gone off on their own. Some young folk, alas, will have their fling and sow their wild oats, and come at last to heel, sadly, like the prodigal son. It is where Christians pathetically put their trust in external techniques and artificial stratagems that young folk go astray. Nothing takes the place of the realism of holy living and secret wrestling before God in prayer for our youngsters. We must commit them to God so utterly that we dare not interfere or tamper with their precious souls." ht: Pastor Wingard Machen on the Word of God "The Christian man...finds in the Bible the very Word of God. Let it not be said that dependence on a book is a dead or an artificial thing. The Reformation of the sixteenth century was founded upon the authority of the Bible, yet it set the world aflame. Dependence upon a word of man would be slavish, but dependence upon God's word is life. Dark and gloomy would be the world, if we were left to our own devices, and had no blessed Word of God. The Bible, to the Christian, is not a burdensome law, but the very Magna Charta of Christian liberty. It is no wonder, then, that liberalism is totally different from Christianity, for the foundation is different. Christianity is founded upon the Bible. It bases upon the Bible both its thinking and it's life. Liberalism on the other hand is founded upon the shifting emotions of sinful men." —J.Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism ht: Josh Harris Dr. Paul Tripp and the Book of Jonah Paul Tripp has begun his tenure as the regular evening preacher at Tenth Presbyterian, following such worthies as Rick Phillips and Aaron Messner. He opened on Sunday with an overview sermon on the Book of Jonah, which he presented as a complete biblical worldview in 48 verses. Here were his points: A God of awesome glory is at the center of everything. This world is terribly broken by sin, both corporately and individually. Human beings were created for transcendency -- a purpose higher than ourselves. For all our brokennes, God is a God of unrelenting, transforming grace. ht: Reformation21 Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

How Kids Think Blog

From the new joint effort of a family and God's World magazine comes, How Kids Think Blog. Two Posts: Today we’d like to hear some about ideals. If you could arrange the perfect educational situation for your kids/students, how would you describe that? Are you currently experiencing that situation? If not, what would need to change in order to make a move in that direction? Provide your answer to them here. Interpretations of “biblical worldview” seem to vary greatly among people, Christians included. Teaching biblical worldview can range from a detailed curriculum explaining all of the -ologies, to Christianized versions of public school textbooks (1+2=Jesus), to the belief that being a Christian means you will simply live and act a certain way. Is the concept of “biblical worldview” in the classroom more of a buzzword than a reality? Provide your answer to them here. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Around the Web

Around the Web Christian Thought Some Thoughts on the Reading of Books The Discerning Ear -- Handel Arias and Scenes Professor Reggie Kidd (RTS) Communion with the Triune God The Shepherd's Scrapebook provides us with an Interview with Dr. Derek Thomas (Pastor and Professor) Humble Orthodoxy blog A Fun Site Why Redirect Your Posts to Feedburner The Gospel in 6 Minutes (Desiring God) - Those boys at Desiring God took a challenge by Blogger Tim Challies personal. Here is what they came up with for attempting to become viral in the Social Media network. Biblical Training - I am told there are "High Quality Audios" Will the Home School Movement Become Yet Another Statistic to the Feminization of the Family? A Christian Conference for Bloggers (ht: Evangelical Outpost) - You going? Countdown to GodBlogCon 2007 Yak Shaving Razor Tip #107 Great Question by Tullian Mohler on "Asking Jesus into Your Heart" Family/Marriage/Parenting A Covenant Body - With A Little Help From My Friends Life in a Shoe shares about plastic bags Family Travel Gear Starbuck's now recognizes it is a family destination Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Holiness; 2. Sanctification (third point and chapter completion), JC Ryle

In the second chapter, bishop Ryle brings us to Sanctification. He works through three sub-topics and several sub-topics within these three sub-topics. The three are: I. The True Nature of Sanctification; II. The Visible Marks of Sanctification; III. Wherein justification and sanctification agree and are like one another, and wherein they differ and are unlike. In his third point, the distinction between justification and sanctification, the Bishop shares his view of the 'similarities and differences' of justification and sanctification. I found this very helpful. So I shall touch on what he wrote here but not in detail. - They are alike as: 1) Both proceed originally from the free grace of God 2) Both are part of that great work of salvation 3) Both are to be found in the same persons 4) Both begin at the same time 5) Both are alike necessary to salvation - They differ as: 1) Justification is the reckoning; Sanctification is the actual making 2) The righteousness we have by our justification is not our own; The righteousness we have by sanctificatiom is our own righteousness . . . BUT mingled with much infirmity and imperfection 3) In justification our own works have no place at all; in sanctification our own works are of vast importance . . . 4) Justification is a finished and complete work; Sanctification is an imperfect work, comparatively, and will never be perfected until we reach heaven 5) Justification admits of no growth or increase; Sanctification is eminently a progressive work 6) Justification has special reference to our persons, our standing in God's sight. And our deliverance from guilt. Sanctification has special reference to our natures, and the moral renewals of our hearts 7) Justification gives us our title in heaven, and boldness to enter in; Sanctification gives us our meetness for heaven, and prepares us to enjoy it when we dwell there 8) Justification is the act of God about us, and not easily discerned by others; Sanctification is the work of God within us, cannot be hid in its outward manifestation from the yes of men The Bishop writes, "It can never be too strongly impressed on our minds that they are two seperate things." *Application* "What practical reflections ought the whole matter to raise in our minds,?" 1) Let us all awake to a sense of the perilous state of many professing Christians (Heb. 12:14); "Oh that preachers and teachers would open their eyes and realize the condition of souls around them!" 2) Let us make sure of our own condition, AND never rest till we feel and know that we are "sanctified" ourselves 3) We must begin with Christ 4) If we grow in holiness . . ., we must continually go on as we began (Eph. 4:16); "Believers who seem at a standstill are generally neglecting close communion with Jesus". Jesus is "willing to help everyone who by faith applies to Him for help, and desires to be made more holy." 5) Let us not expect too much from our own hearts here below. The more light we have, the more we shall see our own imperfection. "Sinners we were when we began, sinners we shall find ourselves as we go on; renewed, pardoned, justified - yet sinners to the very last." 6) Let us never be ashamed of making much of sanctification, AND contending for a high standard of holiness; . . . - let us stand fast in the old paths, follow after eminent holiness ourselves, and receommend it boldly yo others. Bishop Ryle goes on to close by stating, "the man who gets through life most comfortably is the sanctified man." He is not saying there will be no trials, difficulties,etc, but that your perspective and ability to endure it is more fully prepared as you continue to walk, grow and be sanctified (Prov. 3:17; Psm. 119:165; Mt. 11:30; Isa. 48:22). He closes with a P. S. and recommends Mr. John Owen's writing on "The Holy Spirit" which offers greater depth of this subkect matter. Tolle Lege Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry