Lasting Hope Comes From Above

I read this today in Spurgeon’s morning readings taken from Psalm 62.We as Wesleyans would not agree with Spurgeon on all theological points, but he still offers some good advice. It is still up to date and applicable to our financial “crisis.”

Spurgeon's Daily Reading Psalm 62:5
My expectation is from Him.
“It is the believer's privilege to use this language. If he is looking for aught from the world, it is a poor "expectation" indeed. But if he looks to God for the supply of his wants, whether in temporal or spiritual blessings, his expectation" will not be a vain one. Constantly he may draw from the bank of faith, and get his need supplied out of the riches of God's lovingkindness. This I know, I had rather have God for my banker than all the Rothschilds. My Lord never fails to honour His promises; and when we bring them to His throne, He never sends them back unanswered. Therefore I will wait only at His door, for He ever opens it with the hand of munificent grace. At this hour I will try Him anew. But we have "expectations" beyond this life. We shall die soon; and then our "expectation is from Him." Do we not expect that when we lie upon the bed of sickness He will send angels to carry us to His bosom? We believe that when the pulse is faint, and the heart heaves heavily, some angelic messenger shall stand and look with loving eyes upon us, and whisper, "Sister spirit, come away!" As we approach the heavenly gate, we expect to hear the welcome invitation, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." We are expecting harps of gold and crowns of glory; we are hoping soon to be amongst the multitude of shining ones before the throne; we are looking forward and longing for the time when we shall be like our glorious Lord--for "We shall see Him as He is." Then if these be thine "expectations," O my soul, live for God; live with the desire and resolve to glorify Him from whom cometh all thy supplies, and of whose grace in thy election, redemption, and calling, it is that thou hast any "expectation" of coming glory.”…keith 1 Cor 13

Will We Serve God or Man?

Washington (AP) - The Obama administration is moving to rescind a federal rule that reinforced protections for medical providers who refuse to perform abortions or other procedures on moral grounds, an official said Friday.

A Health and Human Services official said the administration will publish notice of its intentions early next week, and open a 30-day comment period for advocates, medical groups and the public. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official notice has not been completed.

If this assault on human life happens, it will be interesting to see what happens with our medical professionals. As Wesleyans we have a history of civil disobedience when matters of God's law conflict with "man's" law...keith 1 Cor 13

Change We CAN Believe In

Abraham Kuijper (Maassluis, 29 October 1837 – Den Haag, 8 November 1920) generally known as Abraham Kuyper, was a Dutch politician, journalist, statesman and theologian. He founded the Anti-Revolutionary Party and was prime minister of the Netherlands between 1901 and 1905.
We as Wesleyans generally think of John Wesley or William Wilberforce as those who pioneered social change based on Biblical principles. I would like to focus on others in coming weeks who effected the same kind of change. Abraham Kuyper effected change for the better in the Netherlands and eventually became Prime Minister. Even though as Arminians we may differ on some points with Kuyper,
Most importantly has been Kuyper's view on the role of God in everyday life. He believed that God continually influenced the life of believers, and daily events could show his workings. Kuyper famously said, "Oh, no single piece of our mental world is to be hermetically sealed off from the rest, and there is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: 'Mine!'" God continually re-creates the universe through acts of grace. God's acts are necessary to ensure the continued existence of creation. Without his direct activity creation would self-destruct."

The Kuyper Foundation(see my links section) exists today as an organization that wants to bring Christian principles back to society. Kuyper was a neo-calvinist and probably had some differing views when it comes to theology. As I type today, a version of the so called "Fairness Doctrine" has passed in Washington. We of all denominations need to join together to resist these attempts to control free speech and Christian radio. Our Christian forefathers were willing to sacrifice for us, we must do the same for our children until Christ returns...keith 1 Cor 13

David Barton on President's Day

David Barton of Wallbuilders was recently interviewed by Moody Radio concerning President's Day and its signifigence in light of our nation's Christian heritage. You can listen to the interview here: www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=20987
keith 1 Cor 13

Answers in Genesis Celebrates 15 Years of Ministry

I heard Mr. Ham for the first time at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Late Dr. D. (James Kennedy) in Fort Lauderdale Florida back in 1988. The ministry complete with the new Creation Museum has come a long way from those days of slides and overhead projectors. I'm grateful the ministry's message hasn't changed. This ministry sparked my interest in the importance of the Biblical authority of Genesis and how it affects everything else in the church of today. I visited the new Creation Museum in Cincinatti as part of an Old Testament class in 2007. The visit is well worth the drive and you can check out Skyline Chili on the way back. For a complete story of the history of this ministry, click here:www.answersingenesis.org/about/history

Inherently Wind-Evolutionists at it Again

New York Times: “Boycott by Science Group Over Louisiana Law Seen as Door to Teaching Creationism”
"Some evolutionists are taking the culture war over origins to the next step: boycotting an entire U.S. state in protest of the state’s education laws.
The state is Louisiana, where last summer Governor Bobby Jindal signed a law allowing teachers to “use supplemental textbooks . . . to help students critique and review scientific theories,” though the bill clarified that it should not be used to “promote any religious doctrine.” Of course, any language suggesting critical thinking or open discussion of any science sounds alarms among evolutionists, who want to keep all questions out of evolutionary indoctrination"…keith 1 Cor 13

A Great Loss for The Wesleyan Church

Wesleyan News: February 23, 2009
Church Loses Two Former Superintendents

Two former district leaders of The Wesleyan Church were promoted to heaven. Rev. Francis Hubbard, 72, former district superintendent of the Kansas District of The Wesleyan Church, died Saturday, December 27, 2008, at his home in Greeley, Colorado.
Rev. Marvin Hughes, 74, former Indiana South district superintendent, died December 22, 2008. Memorial services were held at Forest Hills Wesleyan Church in Evansville, Indiana. Rev. Hughes spent 51 years serving in The Wesleyan Church throughout the Indiana South District.

I had the privilege of knowing and serving under Bro. Hughes,( whose picture you see above), as he was known throughout the district. I join with Dr. Eckart's sentiments,"May God bless his memory and be with Sis. Hughes and family as they adjust to life without this great man."...keith 1 Cor 13

Rev. Bob England Evangelist at August Chandler Campmeeting

Rev. Bob L. England will be the evangelist for this year's Chandler Interdenominational Holiness Camp in August of this year. This camp has a history dating back several decades . The camp has a history as an outdoor camp, with services being held inside at Chandler Church of the Nazarene adjacent to the campground when temperatures get into the unbearable range. Wesleyan, Nazarene, and Free Methodist churches have participated over the years.
Rev. England or Bro. Bob to those who know him is currently pastoring at Paoli Wesleyan Church, and is currently serving as Assistant District Superintendant for the Indiana South District of The Wesleyan church.
He has pastored churches throughout southern Indiana including Boonville. You can read his personal testimony by clicking here: www.indianasouth.org/bob_england_testimony.html Last year we had an indoor campmeeting in the spring and hope to do so this year. I will be posting more information as it becomes available...keith 1 Cor 13

Catholic Pro-Life Group Takes a Stand

Catholic Group Petitions Pope to Excommunicate Nancy Pelosi
Friday, February 20, 2009
By Michael Chapman

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) (AP Photo)

(CNSNews.com) – Human Life International (HLI), a Catholic pro-life group based in Front Royal, Va., had a letter from its Rome office delivered to the Vatican this week, in which it called upon Pope Benedict XVI to “formally excommunicate” from the Catholic Church House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). The pope met with Pelosi on Wednesday.

Experts in Canon Law, the rules that govern the Catholic Church, said this action is not unprecedented and noted that similar appeals for excommunication were made against Catholic judges who were enforcing racially discriminatory laws during the civil rights era. They also said that regular Catholics have a right to petition their pastors, bishops, and the pope in matters that pertain to the well-being of the church.

You can read the rest of the article at www.cnsnews.com...keith 1 Cor 13

Prayer to End Abortion

Prayer to End Abortion
Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life,
And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.
I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion,
Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by
the Resurrection of Your Son.
I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.
Today I commit myself
Never to be silent,
Never to be passive,
Never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself to be active in the Pro-Life movement,
And never to stop defending life
Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,
And our nation once again becomes
A nation with liberty and justice
Not just for some, but for all,
Through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

Bible Baseball Cards a Great Witnessing Tool

Our District Superintendent, Dr. Mark Eckart has put together an excellent and inexpensive witnessing tool. The green side is the front and the white side the back of the card.(Please excuse my editing skills)The cards are 2.5 by 3.5 inches in size with a magazine semi-gloss type finish. They are designed so that you can lead someone through the Roman Road or just leave with your tip when dining out. You can get 25 cards for $5.oo, 50 cards for $10.00, 100 cards for $15.00, or 1000 for $135.00 plus postage. A percentage of the profit goes toward church planting in the Indiana South District. For more information contact Dr Mark at meckart@blueriver.net or call 1-812-865-3979...keith 1 Cor 13

RNC Chair Michael Steele Guest Speaker at Vanderburgh RTL Banquet

The newly elected chair to the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele has just been announced as this years guest speaker at the Vanderburgh County Chapter (Evansville,Indiana) of Right to Life's annual spring banquet. Steele is the first African-American to chair the RNC. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say. Hopefully the party of Abraham Lincoln will once again speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Slavery was the first time an individual thought of human life as property which had no voice. Early Wesleyans were adamant in its abolition. They would use ballot, boycott, and whatever other means it took to advance their cause. When sugar was produced by slave labor, they would buy it elsewhere or do without. They put the value of another human being's life before their personal comfort or convenience. I realize in today's world of big box retail, many brands fall under one brand name. Surely we can do more to make our voice heard in the marketplace and the voting booth. Of course, we can never neglect prayer and fasting. I personally believe that when society becomes more informed as to what abortion actually entails, the industry will crumble just as when William Wilburforce brought the issue to the forefront of the England of his day. Then as now, the government was slow to to act, even though the majority of public opinion was against the issue. ..You can find more info on the upcoming banquet in my links section,"Vanderburgh Right to Life."...Keith 1 Cor 13

The New Wesley Study Bible

Bible translations
The descriptive link to Cokebury.com does not do this Bible justice! The binding is a supple leather-like covering with a ribbon marker inside. While it does not have a concordance, and is not listed as a study Bible, there are study notes similar to the NIV Study Note Bible, with references to Wesley and his works. The Life-Application and Wesleyan core thought inserts are excellent.
I know some would prefer the NKJV translation, but don't let the NRSV deter you from checking this out. I usually use the NASB, and found this to be a good translation, as I use several. When a student once asked Bible teacher Manfred George Goodsky what he would suggest as the best translation of the Bible, he replied,"The one you read." So far I don't see a "liberal slant" to this Bible. It is a great combination of a study and devotional Bible combined in one. It can also be ordered through the Vineyard Christian Bookstore (Evansville) and probably most others....keith 1 Cor 13