Parents, It’s Time to Take Charge!

(from the Family Focus series) by Michael Catt 1 Samuel 2:12ff I. The Problem of Religion Without Godliness“When home is ruled by the Word of God, angels might be asked to stay with us, and they would not find themselves out of their element.” -Charles Spurgeon II. The Failures that Led to Disaster A. The […]

The following is from Rev. Walter Erdman, William Borden's traveling companion for his trip around the world at 16 yrs of age. These were his words after hearing of the passing of William.

"I have been thinking more and more, since the news came, that the length of time God permits us to stay here is not related to a certain amount of work He wants us to do, so much as to a certain closeness of relationship to Himself He wants us to attain. Some of us who are less useful, perhaps, are allowed to live on longer that we may learn more and be perfected in understanding."

The next quote is on stewardship from Rev. Samuel Zwemer, whom Borden first heard at a missionary convention when he was 18.

"Who is there to-night who can always see the shadow of the Cross falling upon his banking account?Who is there who has the mark of the nails and the print of his spear in the plans and life, his love and devotion and daily program of intercession? Who is there who has heard the word of Jesus and is quietly, obediently, every day, as He told you and me, taking up his cross to follow Him?"

William Borden

"Mankind has succeeded quite well in reducing God to a pitiful nothing! The God of the modern context is no God at all. He is simply a glorified chairman of the board, a kind of big businessman dealing in souls. The God portrayed in much of our church life today commands very little respect." - A. W. Tozer

God

"The church is afflicted by dry rot. This is best explained when the psychology of nonexpectation takes over and spiritual rigidity sets in, which is an inability to visualize anything better, a lack of desire for improvement.

There are many who respond by arguing, "I know lots of evangelical churches that would like to grow, and they do their best to get the crowds in. They want to grow and have contests to make their Sunday school larger." That is true, but they are trying to get people to come and share their rut. They want people to help them celebrate the rote and finally join in the rot. Because the Holy Spirit is not given a chance to work in our services, nobody is repenting, nobody is seeking God, nobody is spending a day in quiet waiting on God with open Bible seeking to mend his or her ways. Nobody is doing it--we just want more people. But more people for what? More people to come and repeat our dead services without feeling, without meaning, without wonder, without surprise? More people to join us in the bondage to the rote? For the most part, spiritual rigidity that cannot bend is too weak to know just how weak it is." - A. W. Tozer

Church Growth

10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election

The Bible will still have all the answers. Prayer will still work. The Holy Spirit will still move. God will still inhabit the praises of His people. There will still be God-anointed preaching. There will still be singing of praise to God. God will still pour out blessings upon His people. There will still be […]

Volume 08, Issue 18

CHANGE HAS COMEMichael Catt These past few months, the presidential election has been a discussion of change and who would bring the best change to America. The election was going to be historic, no matter which way it went–either the first African-American President (if you don’t count Morgan Freeman in “Deep Impact” and President David […]

The Attentive Life

Discerning God’s Presence in All Things – Leighton Ford. Formatio. “Ford explores with readers the aspect of attentiveness as a special lens through which to look at their lives. He explains what attentiveness is and why it’s important, and then explores the idea of God as the One who pays attention and calls us to […]

Just How Married Do You Want to Be?

– Jim & Sarah Sumner. IVP Books. In this book, the authors explore the biblical model for marriage, a deeper understanding of headship, how to practice oneness in the grind of daily living, how to resolve conflict, expectations, hot button issues, building a Christ-centered marriage, and much more. 2ProphetU2ProphetU is an online magazine/website, started by […]

The Lord Thinks of Us

Some time ago, I read the story about a man and wife who were celebrating fifty years of marriage. They had spent most of the day with family and friends who had come to honor them, but were completely worn out from the festivities. Once they made it home, they decided to share a snack […]

F Is for Fullness (Part 3)

Overflowing Joy Paul was prisoner in Rome, but he expected to be released. He planned to go to Philippi and visit his dear Christian friends there “so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me” (Phil. 1:26). Paul was the kind of Christian who brought […]