Spurgeon on Christmas Joy

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."—Luke 2:10-12

Spurgeon preached another Christmas Sermon entitled Joy at Christmas (found at http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/1026.htm)

In his introduction he introduces this passage with these marvelous words....

"In our text we have before us the sermon of the first evangelist under the gospel dispensation. The preacher was an angel, and it was meet it should be so, for the grandest and last of all evangels will be proclaimed by an angel when he shall sound the trumpet of the resurrection, and the children of the regeneration shall rise into the fullness of their joy. The key-note of this angelic gospel is joy—"I bring unto you good tidings of great joy." Nature fears in the presence of God—the shepherds were sore afraid. The law itself served to deepen this natural feeling of dismay; seeing men were sinful, and the law came into the world to reveal sin, its tendency was to make men fear and tremble under any and every divine revelation. The Jews unanimously believed that if any man beheld supernatural appearances, he would be sure to die, so that what nature dictated, the law and the general beliefs of those under it also abetted. But the first word of the gospel ended all this, for the angelic evangelist said, "Fear not, behold I bring you good tidings." Henceforth, it is to be no dreadful thing for man to approach his Maker; redeemed man is not to fear when God unveils the splendor of his majesty, since he appears no more a judge upon his throne of terror, but a Father unbending in sacred familiarity before his own beloved children.

The joy which this first gospel preacher spoke of was no mean one, for he said, "I bring you good tidings"—that alone were joy: and not good tidings of joy only, but "good tidings of great joy." Every word is emphatic, as if to show that the gospel is above all things intended to promote, and will most abundantly create the greatest possible joy in the human heart wherever it is received. Man is like a harp unstrung, and the music of his soul's living strings is discordant, his whole nature wails with sorrow; but the son of David, that mighty harper, has come to restore the harmony of humanity, and where his gracious fingers move among the strings, the touch of the fingers of an incarnate God brings forth music sweet as that of the spheres, and melody rich as a seraph's canticle. Would God that all men felt that divine hand."

Shared with love for all....Sherrell

Spurgeon on Christ

Charles Haddon Spurgeon Preached a Sermon entitled, "The First Christmas Carol". Read some of the "Prince of Preachers'" marvelous words in this sermon about the angel's announcement of Christ's Birth, as he explained the relationship between His Birth and the Glory of the God!

What is the instructive lesson to be learned from this first syllable of the angels' song? Why this, that salvation is God's highest glory. He is glorified in every dew drop that twinkles to the morning sun. He is magnified in every wood flower that blossoms in the copse, although it live to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness in the forest air. God is glorified in every bird that warbles on the spray; in every lamb that skips the mead. Do not the fishes in the sea praise him? From the tiny minnow to the huge Leviathan, do not all creatures that swim the water bless and praise his name? Do not all created things extol him? Is there aught beneath the sky, save man, that doth not glorify God? Do not the stars exalt him, when they write his name upon the azure of heaven in their golden letters? Do not the lightnings adore him when they flash his brightness in arrows of light piercing the midnight darkness? Do not thunders extol him when they roll like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not all things exalt him, from the least even to the greatest? But sing, sing, oh universe, till thou hast exhausted thyself, thou canst not afford a song so sweet as the song of Incarnation. Though creation may be a majestic organ of praise, it cannot reach the compass of the golden canticle—Incarnation! There is more in that than in creation, more melody in Jesus in the manger, than there is in worlds on worlds rolling their grandeur round the throne of the Most High. Pause Christian, and consider this a minute. See how every attribute is here magnified. Lo! what wisdom is here. God becomes man that God may be just, and the justifier of the ungodly. Lo! what power, for where is power so great as when it concealeth power? What power, that Godhead should unrobe itself and become man! Behold, what love is thus revealed to us when Jesus becomes a man. Behold ye, what faithfulness! How many promises are this day kept? How many solemn obligations are this hour discharged? Tell me one attribute of God that is not manifest in Jesus; and your ignorance shall be the reason why you have not seen it so. The whole of God is glorified in Christ; and though some part of the name of God is written in the universe, it is here best read—in Him who was the Son of Man, and, yet, the Son of God."

I cannot say anything here. Reflect

Sheep and and the Free Gift of the Shepherd

I love the Parable of the Good Shepherd. This powerful illustration at close glance examines the relationship between Christ and His Sheep but it also has a number of other illustrations that give meaning for life, top side of the earth. In the ancient near-east the shepherd lived with his sheep. I have been to the Middle East; I have observed the modern (not modern by today's standard) Bedouines and their charges moving across the desert floor, scampering past an occasional passing vehicle. They are always on a quest for their quay, the precious green pastures that lie clingingly close to the rivers and the gulf.

At night, the shepherds would bring their sheep into a fold, normally a cove surrounded by stone, mostly man-made. The sheep would nestle in there protected from predatory wolves or humans who would steal. The shepherd would stay and take rest at the opening or the "door" of the sheepfold. Often, shepherds would gather together in the evening and fold their sheep all together, hundreds intermingling with each other. The following morning each shepherd would rise and call their sheep, and out of the fold of hundreds would come that shepherd's sheep, for "they know their master's voice".

Take this explanation and set it against the backdrop of John 10. Jesus uses this example of sheep and shepherds to contrast two ideas of salvation, one is an idea of a sheep outside the fold of any master, the other is the idea of a sheep inside the fold of "their master". Listen to John 10: 7-11, it says "Then Jesus said unto them again, verily, verily I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door of the sheep, by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and shall find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal and destroy; I am come, that they may have life and have it more abundantly I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep" . Do you hear this? What Christ is saying is the only way to salvation is through him (by me); the door. If any man enters in, he shall be saved and shall find pasture. He shall not only have life, but will have an abundant life!

Listen, you may go to church each week, but if you have not entered through the Door of Christ, you do not have eternal life. You may be a Christmas and Easter Catholic, but if you haven't accepted salvation through Christ (not the church) you are not going to heaven. You say Crow, wait a minute that's strong; that is dogmatic. Look friend at what Christ is saying here. You want eternal life; you got to come through the Door! Jesus also exclaimed best elsewhere, when He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes unto the Father, except by me", John 14:6.

This Christmas season while we're focused on giving, why not accept a free gift that is offered every day? Why not listen to Jesus who is now tugging at your heart? I am Sherrell.

A Pilgrim's Brief Regress

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

The older I get, the more that I recognize the meaning of the term pilgrim. Top side of the earth, living in the twenty-first century, the information age has thrown our society into a high-speed tail spin with information-overload at every turn and an exhausting schedule filling ones plate with a hundred equally-valid but sometimes hollow and vane choices. We need to reflect here.

Recently, I have had the occasion of attempting to research my father’s genealogical record. I have avoided committing the financial resources to the on-line services and have opted for my own searches. This has proved that it requires patience; but such has proven fruitful, and I must admit has resulted in a new-slate of web friends all distant cousins with the same aim, those of whom I never have had the pleasure of growing up with. If you choose to embark on such a task, don’t be surprised of the myths that are perpetuated in your family based on second and third hand knowledge of events. Life and in particular, people are never what they seem to be. This activity has given me pause to go back to those times in the late 1800’s and early twentieth century when my “grands” walked the earth. Wonder what it would have been like then; did they look to the now? Did they fathom the future?

When we measure our life, pedigree, education and human industry carry no real significance do they? No amount of sweat and blood towards human capacity carry no real thrust in the eternal, except only a few brief moments before they are rendered, wood, hay and stubble. Oh, we should work at our task at hand, “as unto the Lord”, but I am talking about our motivation in the immediate. I love this passage in Hebrews. I believe Bunyan magically captured this idea in his allegory. Consider where the writer’s context renders this passage, it was the faithful through the ages that could only see the “country from afar”. Oh that God would only keep our glimpse towards the afar! Oh that we would embrace the cross for His Service! Oh that we throw off the shackles of the now and taste a glimpse of Heaven and the Eternal! Oh, that we would work out our own salvation! Now that preaches!

Time in the Furnace

The old blacksmith shop must have been a fine place of heat and toil. The images of this place are one of brawn and hard work. The smith could not have worked his craft without the anvil. That heavy slab of metal was the pounding block and surface in which the smith would bend and shape the heated metal into the final image. Boom, boom and a horseshoe was rendered; clank-clank, and out came a plowshare. Now, one should know that nothing could be produced without the benefit of the fire. The smith would crank up his fire in his stove and put that metal in there, bringing it out fiery- red; then and only then could the smith produce his craft. Only when its in the shape he wants does he submerge it beneath the cool water for the metals hardening.
Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t like being in the stove. I don’t like it when I’m the subject against the anvil. Life hurts and produces heat; life hurts and produces burrs and slag. Then we go into the sanctuary of God’s Word; we draw close to the throne in prayer. We discover that it’s time for the oven; we fret for its time at the anvil. The hammer falls and we bend; its clanks and we succumb. We pray for relief but it does not immediately come. We ask for the cool water, but it is lacking, nowhere to be found. Paul prayed to be rescued from the thorn in the flesh; he sought relief from the messenger of Satan. But God’s answer was “My grace is sufficient”. Spurgeon said, As sure as God puts His children in the furnace he will be in the furnace with them”. The three children of Israel (Shadrach, et al) trusted God…but they went in the furnace. They understood God, but they went in the furnace…they shunned the vain religion of Babylon, but they went in the furnace. I am sure it was hot in that furnace, but there was a fourth man! I see four, and the fourth is like the Son of God! Don’t pray for the water friend; look for the fourth!

On The Precious Healing of Words

I love beautiful music; classical pieces which draw out and evoke the majesty that only is ordained from the imagination of heaven. Only our Creator is the Divine Architect of such. The weaver of the gifted minds, hearts and ears can produce such splendor. Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Heyden produce such moods of imagery through their sweeping chords, movements and counter-movements that transport the hearer to a different place; a place of peace and comfort. These moments are breathtaking; they’re beyond words.
Ephesians 4:29 admonishes us: Let no corrupt communication proceed from your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Solomon declares “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold.” A beautiful heart for Christ is like this. It discerns the needs of the forlorn heart, it senses the chasm of loneliness, and it hears the vacantness in the concert halls of the needy. When we minister grace to the hearers at just the right time, the Spirit-inspired time, we are parties to a Divine appointment of calm and soul soothing music. When we weave this symphony, it can only transcend earth and carry the hearer into the presence of God. Christ always knew what to say did he not? The Apostle here encourages us to put away corrupt communication, to toss aside cutting words, to mortify fleshly backbiting, rather, put on and practice good speech, why? To edify each other, to produce the beautiful chords of grace that only the Spirit of God can weave. You sense the hurting heart, strike the chord of encouragement; you detect the weak, lift them up with the sweeping movements of Jesus. Surrounded by the spiritually oppressed….lend the word of the Gospel. “There is a balm in Gilead that heals the sin-sick soul” Let’s make beautiful music friend. I am Sherrell.

On The Ornament of Meekness

Thomas Akempis said, "The good devout man first makes inner preparation for the actions he has later to perform. His outward actions do not draw him into lust and vice; rather it is he who bends them into the shape of reason and right judgement. Who has a stiffer battle to fight than the man who is striving to conquer himself." Old Thomas was spiritually spot on. This giant was accoustomed to writing some of the most prolifically spiritual material written. "The Imitation of Christ" is still one of my favorite books.

Speaking of vice, I often speak before I need to; too often have found myself having to pardon my presumption or not understanding and not properly seeking clarity. Oh, I could pardon myself being caught up in the circumstances of the business that I am in; its about action; about results, about the bottom line; but Christ calls us to another place does he not? Peter tells us that we are a "Royal Priesthood, a chosen generation..." Given this, lets introduce 1Pe 3:4 which states, But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Wow, you hear that? A meek and quiet spirit is an ornament in God's sight; it is a great price! Think about this one one! Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit; yes? With love and respect!

Lessons From the Thunderstorms

I am really delighted in the rain; no matter the ferocity I often marvel at every detail, the thunder, the lightning and the paths of the runoff; I delight in the magnitude of a great storm. I have also often enjoyed at a winter's snow, ever since I moved north a bit; its solitude is delicious, and you can listen closely to the snow flakes deflecting off of the trees and a nearby roof; it sets the stage for the mournful whispering wind, with its crisp bite and siren calls to you.

When I was a kid I would often go out on our porch during a thunderstorm; from my post, I would view the neighbors making for their shelter and I would marvel from my perch, like the old bird keeping watch over the neighborhood with an approving nod; this was God's symphony and I was an observer from the mezzanine with a chance to see it over and over. Sometimes, when my parents were not home, I would move my seat to the hill at the edge of the woods; this was my sanctuary and only the snakes, birds and the other animals knew the place better. This is where I carved out life; where I dealt with emotions; I prayed, made life decisions and stolled with my guitar when it was'nt foul weather. Today, during my vacation we were caught in a torrential downpour. I was transported to that porch, to that wooded glade and amidst the hundreds of strangers struggling to free themselves from its throngs, I was once again joyful to see my old friend again. This is my reminder of God's enormity, of His power. It reminds me that He cares for His creation and He provides for a cleansing flood to water the earth, to care for the "lillies of the field", to touch the the Creation that we sometimes spoil by our existence. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good and his mercies are anew. Next time you have the occasion, let my friend the rain show you the Touch of God. With fond admiration; I am Sherrell

Transported to Mount Pisgah

I love the Blueridge Mountains, small compared to the Rockies but a small piece of heaven here in Virginia. At times, I enjoy a drive an hour south of D.C., south of Sperryville, Virginia to Old Rag Mountain. It’s about an hour and a half of a vigorous hike to the top, some climbing at the end, but the payoff is spectacular.
In my studies today I was transported to Mount Pisgah. Moses was ascending its pinnacle at the Lord’s command to view the sprawling land of promise. It was the last brief moments of this magnificent man’s life. He was ascending high as into the throne room of Heaven itself. Here was the man who knew God “face-to- face” (Num 12:8); a man whose fellowship with God was second only to God’s Son. Can you imagine knowing our Heavenly Father this intimately? The writer of Hebrews invites us “….come boldly into the throne room of grace….” Heb 4:16.
The Apostle Paul brings us squarely to the place where we need to attain. “….That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection , and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death.” Phill 3:10 I believe that this is the intimacy that we are to have with God; that we are to attain to. It is being acquainted with God’s grief. It is having a deep grief over sin, callousness and indifference. It is being moved by His passion for souls, the care for widows, orphans and the powerless. It is to die in conformity to him. Jesus was clear on His mission. In Luke 4:18-19 he declared The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good…Now that is a mountain worth scaling.

Guided by His Eye

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8.....My better half and I are celebrating going on 24 years of marriage. One thing is certain, having been married for that period of time, experiencing rough times and great times you get to know each other intimately. Fact is, it only takes a glance or a quick read and I know what my wife is thinking (most of the time). This comes from the intimacy of understanding that only marriage or family relationships bring; the type of clarity of closeness.

Imagine the Psalmist here captures God's heart perfectly with crystaline detail. You realize that this is the kind of close intimacy God desires from us? That we are guided with the twinkle of His eye? This imagery (we know that God is Spirit from John 4:24) is of course pointing to a thought. Hebrew is a language of vast imagery, of word pictures. God guides us with his eye. He leads us beside the still waters, to borrow from another wonderful Psalm. Friend, we must press into God to develop this type of relationship....to capture His heart and sense His direction. Now that is the kind of direction that is not needful....it is bountiful and rich. Blessings.

On Craving the Eternal and the Fire to Satisfy

There is no craving in the human heart more persistent or more passionate than the craving to lay a firm hand upon something eternal. And only the preacher whose eyes are lit by the inner fires of profound conviction can hope to lead those groping pilgrims to their shining goal. – F. W. Boreham in The Ivory Spires.

Boreham was a pastor who studied at the famed Spurgeon's preachers college. In fact, reportedly, the last fellow the Prince of Preachers recruited before his death three days later. Boreham was a brilliant young fellow devouring books as a child and developed a passion for learning. He answered the Gospel call to go to far away Australia to become a minister, despite discouragement from some storied missionaries; Borham had suffered a severe debilitating injury, and some thought it too much for the work. Rather, he labored for thirty years in three different works down under. From my brief reading of his story, he never fully appreciated the impact of his pastoral work. What he gave the world was brilliant literature; his writing is profound.

Can you imagine having such a passion for your work that it fires your soul? I love my work, some might say it is a vocation, but I was born to teach and preach and I am training to put that to the test. While I am pretty good at my job, it pays the bills and puts food on the table. What are you passionate about? Over the next few posts I will share some more Boreham quotes and will try to share some encouragement with it. I am Sherrell God's blessing

My Father's late Faith

Life with my father as a young man was not a pleasure filled experience. The fact was that my father was a drunk; there were many times that he took his drunkeness out on our small family in physical and mental ways. I do not want to dwell on these things as the Scripture exhorts us to dwell on things true, honest, pure...Phil Chapter 4.

The fact is my daddy was an abusive and cursing, angry man; but that all changed. Just a few brief months before he passed away with heart failure, my father was miraculously saved. Our Pastor shared Christ with him as I had heard our previous pastor do. I watched as this cursing, angry drunk would pray with tears and cries of great grief in pentitence over his sinfulness. I witnessed him give up cigarettes and alcohol instanteously. I saw the power of the Holy Spirit change him.

If you have lost hope for a loved one, dont give up praying! God can break through the toughest people's hearts and bring abundant life! Now, that is the Dunomos (power) of the Gospel! With Blessings. Sherrell

Fellowship with His Sufferings

We were created fearfully and wonderfully to glorify our Heavenly Father. When I consider the depths of my soul it is unfathomable to have self-awareness and a thirst for the divine. It is the fleeting satisfaction that searches for God, that creates a desire to satisfy the hunger, yet such is unfilled outside of fellowship with the Divine. As C.S. Lewis declared "God whispers to us in our bliss but screams at us in our pain." Yet, we must always try God until he brings us to our knees seeking for reasons in trying circumstances.

Is that you now? Is God screaming at you? Press into Christ. Spend hours in Scripture, search these, for they testify of Him. Only when we drink in the Divine through His precious Word, we are closer to Him. As Paul says, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" Phil 3:10. Only when we are enjoined with him in his sufferings are we made more comformable to him; dying to ourselves. With affection. Sherrell

Spurgeon on Cheer

"These Things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" John 16:33

"The believer is in two places, and he lives two lives. In the text are two places spoke of, 'in me' and 'in the world.' The siants noblest life is 'hid with Christ in God'; this is his new life, his spiritual life, his incorruptible life, his everlasting life. Rejoice beloved, if you are in Christ, and enjoy the privilege which belongs to that condition: 'that in me ye might have peace'. Do not be satisfied without it; it is your right through your relationship to the Prince of peace. Because you are in Christ, your life of lives is always safe, and should always be restful. Your greatest interests are all secure, for they are guarenteed by the covenant of which Jesus is the Surety. Your treasure, your eternal portion, is laid up with him in Heaven where rust nor robber can enter. Therefore, be of good cheer." Charles Haddon Spurgeon

In Christ. Sherrell

Encouragement

You know, everyone needs some encouragement. Sometimes, in spite of the sinfulness of doubting God, we just need to get a great word; reading some encouraging passages of scripture, or phone a friend who always seems to lift us up. You know that Elijah was confronted by God in that cave. You remember the scene after the Lord's marvelous victory against the Baal prophets, the wicked Jezebel threatened Elijah's existence sending him fleeing for his life.

Perspective is always important. Elijah had his eyes on his circumstances, but the Lord was not taken aback. Elijah thought I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me. Paul recalls this in Romans 11: 2 and following, "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to [the image of] Baal." You see this? God always has the answers. You must be willing to pray, listen, and wait. Get your eyes off of yourself and onto the Lord God of Heaven. Remember Paul's admonition in Gal 6:9, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

OK, so we need not slack up, pack up, back up until we are taken up! Press on. with love

On Grief and The Resulting Beauty

Our little dog of 15 years developed a rare disease. Through sadness this last Resurrection Sunday we had to make the tough decision to put him to sleep. He went "the way of all the earth" as is said in Scripture. This invoked some powerful emotions within our family. The little guy was a good companion. He used to go with me for runs through the neighborhood; he dutifully sat and waited until I got home in the evening for his needs to be met, and he greeted me with a happy banging of his tail in the wee hours of the morning hapily anticipating a hug and embrace. He was almost always the first that greeted me at the door, as he were St. Peter keeping watch on the Gate. He was perhaps the warmest most-loving dog I have encountered in my years; like a good friend, he faded away...but he is in my heart.

I have endured much loss in the last three years. How do we deal with the grief here top-side of the earth? God reminds us in 2 Cor 1:4 ..." Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God". Our trials are to be the rich canvass by which we paint the soothing picture to bring beauty and healing to others. We are to be of comfort to those around us, where they will see our good works and glorify God our Heavenly Father (1 Pt 2:12). I am.

On Precious Beginnings

A friend of mine and his bride just had a little baby boy. The little Californian landed just a few days back and after a brief stay in the hospital due to minor complications his parents brought him home. What overwhelming joy to hold a precious little one, and while my smallest bambina is eight years old now and baby number 1 is twenty-one, I am still warmed of the precious thoughts of each one. Even my son who is now 16, and standing taller than me by half a foot invokes memories of his tiny little eyes looking up at me just minutes after his birth.



At this writing, it is now fully spring. The buds are white and pink on the trees and the grass has lost its brown hue, giving way to irish green; the flowers are aburst. It reminds me of each precious day we have before our Lord. A day that we have to work diligently before Him. A time that we can once again earnestly learn from Christ a new death to our selves; a time again to dedicate our life to him and adorn the earth in His precious colors. His delightful fragrance; one that draws others deeply to Him. Jesus Christ beacons the seeker with his testimony through His saints lives. Our life lived before others in an earnest Christ-honoring manner is the loudest proclamation of the Gospel. Proclaim on! In loving service. Sherrell

He Hideth My Soul

I am warmed by the glow of the church's precious hymns. Many today fuss over types of music; this is not that debate. I am delighted to hear of the circumstances where God's people penned wonderful hymns through time. One such story was the ocassion of the circumstances of Mr. Horatio Spafford who suffered several back-to-back great tragedies, the loss of his business in the great Chicago fire, the loss of his four daughters in a heart-rending accident at sea. One could sense the astounding paradox of his most noted hymn in the ensuing days after his learning of the loss of his closest and dearest loves. Upon learning of the tragedy from his wife's telegram from England, he sailed to meet her. At sea he pondered the events and penned this familiar hymn..."When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll....whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say; It is well, it is well with my soul!". You hear that? Whew, that preaches! You know only God gives the peace which passes all understanding. When God takes us through the fire, there are ornaments left over for others to visibly see; the beauty that is revealed in the shedding of the dross. The sweet smell of the fragrance of God's Grace pervades the area and people are moved by the presence of the Master.



I am touched at Spafford's story and the beautiful hymn he left us. One of my favorites is "He Hideth My Soul"; dont know much about the circumstances surrounding this one, but there is a familiar Biblical passage. Moses wanted to see God, but God would disallow such, for no one had looked upon Him and lived. He helped Moses see the reality of His Being......He hid him in the cleft of the rock and as He passed by, Moses was protected. What a picture! Like the Blood on the door pillar, like Christ's precious blood covering you and me....Selah.



With kindest affection; in Christ

True Biblical Counseling: Part V

Lets view the the differences between Biblical Counseling and Christian Psychology from another perspective: The Perspective of Human Nature and Motivation. Many Christian psychologists accept a theory proposed by Abraham Maslow which suggests that individuals have certain psychological needs such as safety, esteem, and belonging. All remember Maslow as the social scientist who experimented with stimulus reaction in dogs; starve them enough and they would react when you provided them a stimulus; meat. While this is a purely mechanistic action, Maslow deduced and interesected the same sort of stimuli towards the needs of humans. Here, we shall not undervalue Maslow's contribution to science and sociology, but we should question the ends to which modern man has attributed to them.

Many Christian psychologists believe that if man's felt needs are satisfied, they are happier, more adjusted. This at first glance seems innocent and altruistic; but beneath the surface is sinister because it clouds the real issues of life. Man's felt needs are not the primary issue; alignment of one's life in accordance to God's Word is what leads one to peace with God. Modernistic church movements cater to individual's felt needs; this is destructive. We see them peddling the Gospel espousing that it will solve all their problems, make them happy, give them a reason to live, etc. Have you not heard this in churches today? This is Satan trading the Gospel for a lie. Christ died for our sins and requires repentance. The Gospel is the solution for our spiritual sin problem and is not the panacea for every emotional ill. This is a sinister lie of Satan.

Biblical counselors submit that if born-again Christians desire God, they will experience joyfulness, satisfaction, and purpose. Romans 15:13 says: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. You see this? The God of Hope will fill us with peace and joy. God is called the God of peace in scripture often (Rm 16:20; 2 Cor 13:11; Phil 4:9;)

This is tatmount to life. God is Peace. He is our peace. Blessings

True Biblical Counseling, Part 4

Last time, we introduced the divergencies between Biblical (Nouthetic) Counseling and Christian Psychology. The first divergent point was from the perspective of Scripture, secondly we need to explore the the differences with their Perspective on God.

Christian Psychologists generally limit God by introducing pagan notions based on man-centric philosophies. You may say to me, Sherrell, these people are kind and caring; they quote scripture and provide an invaluable service to the kingdom of God. Kind? yes they are. Caring? I agree. Quoting Scripture, sure, some out of context, some not. An invaluable service? I disagree. "A little leaven leavens the whole lump", yes? Let me illustrate.

Freud, Skinner, Rogers all had philosophical presuppositions about how to change people; all freely admiting that some people just cannot change. Often psychoanalysis (whether it bears an adjective entitled Christian) leads to years of talking through problems, often leading to even deeper morose issues without bringing any lasting change. Christian Psychology just uses churchified language to ornate their philosophy and integrate it into a spiritual way of life. It attempts to integrate Christ with psychoanalysis. This violates 2 Cor 6:15 which asks "what accord hath Crist with belial?". Have you ever stopped to think, why do their (Fredian, Skinnerian, Rogerian, Christian-integration) methodologies not work? From a purely psychological perspective, the psychologist do not have God's power; rather at the deepest level, man is god and his notions are better than his Creator's; after all man evolved from premoridal soup. They limit God, first because the three schools of thought represented by these men were atheistic and pagan. God, is the only solution for permanent change, through the agency of the Spirit and the Power of His Word. Further, there has to be a willing vessel for service; the Biblical Counselor.

Biblical counselors bring two things to the equation when applied. God's Word, that is "swift and sharper than any two-edged sword", and the wisdom to apply it to the situation at hand. Only a commited Biblical Counselor is uniquely equipped to confront and nouthetically change people; changed by God's Word, through God's Spirit. When each Christian becomes a student of the Word, committed to the spiritual care of people (as we all are to be), then we recognize that God has equipped us with the Divine resources for lasting spiritual change in us and is others. With humble gratitude.