This poem was written by “Smiling Bill” McChesney. He was a missionary from the US that ministered in the Congo in the early sixties. At that time, the Congo was a volatile and dangerous place for foreign missionaries. He was killed by an angry mob in 1964.
“I want my breakfast served at eight, with ham and eggs upon the plate; A well-broiled steak I’ll eat at one, and dine again when day is done. I want an ultramodern home and in each room a telephone; Soft carpets, too, upon the floors, and pretty drapes to grace the doors. A cozy place of lovely things, like easy chairs with inner springs, And then I’ll get a small TV- of course, “I’m careful what I see.” I want my wardrobe, too, to be of neatest, finest quality, With latest style in suit and vest: Why should not Christians have the best? But then the Master I can hear in no uncertain voice, so clear: “I bid you come and follow Me, the lowly Man of Galilee.” “Birds of the air have made their nest, and foxes in their holes find rest, But I can offer you no bed; no place have I to lay My head.” In shame I hung my head and cried. How could I spurn the Crucified? Could I forget the way He went, the sleepless nights in prayer He spent? For forty days without a bite, alone He fasted day and night; Despised, rejected- on He went, and did not stop till veil He rent. A man of sorrows and of grief, no earthly friend to bring relief; “Smitten of God,” the prophet said- Mocked, beaten, bruised, His blood ran red. If He be God, and died for me, no sacrifice too great can be For me, a mortal man, to make; I’ll do it all for Jesus’ sake. Yes, I will tread the path He trod, no other way will please my God; So, henceforth, this my choice shall be, my choice for all eternity.”
I was reading from a great little blue book latlely “Sermons by Rev. C.H. Spurgeon. This following passage was of particular interest:
“Methinks I see several ministers standing in the way. They are of such high doctrine that they dare not invite a sinner, and they therefore clog the gospel with so many conditions. They will have it that the sinner must feel a certain quantity of experience before he is invited to come, and so they put their sermons up and say, “You are not invited, you are a dead sinner, you must not come; you are not invited; you are a hardened rebel.”
“Stand back,” says Christ, “every one of you, though ye be my servants. Let him come, he is willing—stand not in his way.” It is a sad thing that Christ’s ministers should become the devil’s aiders and abettors, and yet sometimes they are, for when they are telling a sinner how much he must feel, and how much he must know before he comes to Christ, they are virtually rolling big stones in the path, and saying to the willing sinner, “Thou mayest not come.”
In the name of Almighty God, stand back everything this morning that keeps the willing sinner from Christ. Away with you, away with you! Christ sprinkles his blood upon the way, and cries to you, “Vanish, begone! leave the road clear; let him come; stand not in his path; make straight before him his way, level the mountains and fill up the valleys; make straight through the wilderness a highway for him to come, to drink of this water of life freely. ‘Let him come.’”
Spurgeon;s message reminds me of a passage in the book of Acts that addresses the Messianic Jewish faction of the early church at the time f the Jerusalem Council. They are admonished to “not make it difficult for the gentiles who are coming to the faith.” I’ve posted the verse from two bibles here. Read pilgrims:
Acts 15:10-11 (The Message)
10-11“So why are you now trying to out-god God, loading these new believers down with rules that crushed our ancestors and crushed us, too? Don’t we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us just as he did those from beyond our nation? So what are we arguing about?”
Acts 15:10-11 (New King James Version)
10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christwe shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
In what ways have you or your theology, stood in the way of the sinner to God?
Hey pilgrims…some of us are prepared to read through the New testament in 60 days…In january, many of us plowed through the New testament in 30 days…Although there was not much time afforded to stop and meditate on so much important passages, the benefit was to step back and see a “big picture’ of the New testament gospel message…Starting on Monday, February 28th, we will begin following the reading plan again…If you are interested in receiving daily emails with the passages for each day just contact me darrelllahay@hotmail.com
It is tragic, and all too obvious that our generation is becoming more and more biblically illiterate. For many wrapped up in modernity, Christianity has been demoted from “The Way” to a mere “spiritual life choice”. Reading the Bible has become like an elective in Christianity 101..Lame..
Here is a handful of reminders of why reading the Bible is discipline of the greatest importance….
1. It is the only inspired book you will ever read on the earth.
God wrote the Bible. Penned by the faithful under the very guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Scriptures are the reveal the very heart of God. The poetry, chronicles of History, and Prophecies and exhortations are authored specifically for all believers for all time by Jesus Himself. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
2. It will grow your faith.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God: Romans 10:17. As the words of scripture begin to settle in your mind, Your very though life begins to be renewed. Deliverance, healing and encouragement can’t help but happen.
3. It will change your life.
The book of James describes the person who reads the Bible to be like a person who looks in a mirror and see’s their reflection. The bible tells the truth about our nature. It convicts us of sin, shines light into darkness, and exposes the frailty of our humanity. the bible shows us what we really look like, and then challenges us to change into the image of Christ. (James 1:23-25)
4.You will become disciplined
By getting into the “habit” of reading scripture, you develop your spiritual reading muscles. At first, the bible may seem overwhelming in size, archaic in context, and loft in philosophical terms..However, as you press in and read past your comfort zone. the Holy Spirit begins to reveal the truth of scripture to you in ways you never experienced before. Where before there was no appetite, there is now a thirst for the Bible. Reading the bible becomes a “must do” rather than a “I probably should” thing.
5. Jesus expects us read it.
Seriously, if you knew that the creator of the universe took the time to embark on a couple thousand-year writing project and put together a compilation of written works especially designed to instruct, inspire and bless you, why wouldn’t you take time every day to read it?
Some friends of mine are intereseted in selling their beautiful luxury log home, located in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia..
Below are all the specs….If you are interested in this home and would like me to connect you with the owner, please contact me at darrelllahay@hotmail.com
Location:
15 minutes north of Kelowna and east of the Kelowna airport for easy accessibility. Two internationally renowned ski hills, Big White (Kelowna) and Silver Star (Vernon), are only a 45 minute drive away. Internationally acclaimed golf courses are with a 20 minute drive. Water sports and fishing are available in Okanagan Lake and several smaller lakes in the area.
10 Beautiful acres of pine forest overlooking the Kelowna Valley in British Columbia Canada.This magnificent log house offers an outstanding opportunity for either a holiday or full time home. This is a two story Douglas Fir log home completed in 1999 with an average ceiling height of ten feet per floor,a poured concrete foundation and a hunter green metal roof. The home is on a sloping site, offering a spectacular view of the Kelowna Valley, Okanagan Lake and the surrounding hills.
A gated entry leads to a winding driveway through the forest, to a parking area, past the double garage doors at the side of the house and circling back to the main driveway.
The site is private and peaceful, with numerous varieties of birds, small wildlife, and deer. The property is treed predominantly with Ponderosa Pines, Saskatoons and wild rose bushes. The land is gently sloping with excellent walking through the pine needled forest floor, small meadows and rock outcropping. Wild flowers abound. The landscaping has been non intrusive to keep the setting as natural as possible.
MAIN FLOOR :
Contains a main entrance with hall closet. Large master bedroom with en-suite bath, half bath and powder room, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry and utility room and a separate entrance to the kitchen and pantry area.
-The master en-suite has a Fiat steam shower with 4 jets and an internal light. Beside the bathroom is a large walk-in closet, dressing room with custom-made shelving and extensive space for hanging clothes. There are windows in the bedroom, bathroom and dressing room. This large master bedroom has double doors leading on to the deck where there is an 8 person hot tub. (included)
-The sunk in living room has a rock fire-place - wood burning, flooring is Merbu, an African hard wood. Double French doors leading onto the deck.
-The custom-built kitchen has extensive cabinets and drawers made of maple. All appliances are stainless steel including a sub-zero refrigerator with bottom freezer and ice maker, five-star gas range with grill, electric over with convection option. The matching exhaust hood has 2 warming shelves, a programmable dishwasher and a microwave convection oven. The counters are Corian with a ceramic tile backsplash. Two large skylights and bay window at the sink with beautiful forest views. The flooring is Italian Tumble Stone Tile, (heated). Completed with a small pantry off the kitchen with a Dutch door leading outside.
SECOND FLOOR :
-Consists of three bedrooms and a full bathroom surrounding a central family and games room that has a log railing overlooking the living room.
BASEMENT :
-Features a large office/bedroom with custom-built book shelves and a large L-shaped work area designed for one or two work spaces, including under the counter filing cabinet and storage closet. There is a 3 piece bathroom with shower. Two storage rooms suitable for sauna, wine cellar, hobby or workshop. Flooring includes ceramic tile(heated) in the finished areas.
All furniture, including custom-built queen log beds are for sale with home. Also a 6’ Elk Light Chandelier
Area of House : Main and Second floor = 3376 sq. ft.
Basement (finished and unfinished) = 1415 sq. ft.
Garage(s) 3- Basement = 837 sq. ft.
Terraces and decks = 1859 sq. ft.
Total Sq. Ft. = 7487
SECURITY:
All outside doors are locked with dead bolts. There is a monitored security system including doors, windows, motion detectors, smoke detectors and video surveillance cameras covering the driveway and the entrance way.
-The house was built and designed by Howard Williamson, owner of custom Log Homes in Salmon Arm, BC. http://www.customloghomesltd.com
It has been featured in Log Home Builders Magazine and several pictures of the home are used in the brochure for Custom Log Homes.
-The outside and some interior log walls are constructed entirely from Douglas Fir, 12 to 24 inches in diameter.
-All interior cabinets and doors were custom made by Don Waller, The Creative Wood Butcher of Winfield, BC
-All interior and exterior stone work was done by local mason Lawrence Peters.
-There is hot water radiant heat on all three levels with eight zones.
-All outside doors and windows are custom made of cedar. All windows are argon filled doubled paned with low E coatings. All south facing windows have heat mirror glass which reflects heat out in the summer and in during winter months. Windows are locking lever side casement style. All windows and doors except the front door, are screened.
-Central vacuum is in all levels, along with a central vac dust pan in the kitchen
-All interior doors on main and second floor are custom made , 6 panel fir.
-White trimmed halogen pop lights and track lighting are used extensively to bring out the log details and highlight traffic areas
-Outside deck and soffit lighting surrounds the house to highlight the logs at night
-Water is supplied by well, with a 1000 gallon cistern in the basement never been used, providing enough water for 10 people. There is a new salt water softener and iron out system with reverse osmosis drinking water system connected to the faucet and ice maker in the kitchen. Domestic hot water is a 40 gal. electric tank. The front yard is a customized allan block surrounding with automatic lights, waterfall and underground programmable irrigation system.
-The home is on a septic system
-Home is wired for telephone, satellite TV, and stereo speakers wired from living room to dining room, kitchen and office.
-Underground power supply and telephone wire from power pole 75 feet from house. House main service is 200 amps with 100 amp sub panel upstairs and 100 amp sub panel in the basement.
LOGS:
-Inside has been totally log chinked, outside was completely sanded and re-stained with 3 coats of Sickens Log Stain in 2009.
PATIOS & DECK:
-Total sq. ft. = 1859, complete with a permanent 12 X 12 Gazebo, surrounded by all glass front panels. Will accommodate up to 75 guests.
SHOP: (Log Sided)
- Built in 2006, this 40 X 50 shop has 16ft. Ceiling, (two) 10 X 10 doors, (one) 11 X 14 door. Automatic ½ hp. Openers. Power is supplied by a 200 amp service and is 2 X 6 constructed walls. A 2-12 pitch aluminium green roof. (matching the house) ,attached is a 40 X 12 covered addition for motor home or trailer.
Both house and shop are heated with hot water boiler, fuelled by wood from the property.
“THEREFORE NO HEATING BILLS” Ever !
Over three thousand sq. meters of asphalt completed in July 2009, total cost $70,000.00.
Two covered sheds containing a two-year supply of wood.
Gates at top of driveway are welded steel construction, sandblasted and black powder coated with two 11’ openings. “NEVER NEED MAINTENANCE”
Here is an interesting chart I came across in Wikipedia..Take a glance at it, and feel free to let me know if you have any questions..After looking at this chart, I’m sure Jesus Himself might have some questions for us!
Right now I am enjoying the task of reading through the New testament in 30 days. To my embarassment, I can’t remember the last time I sat down and read a Gospel from beginning to end in one sitting! I am amazed by some of the things I have discovered..Some of these are:
-How Jesus was quite clearer about contraversial subjects than we give Him credit for..
-How much Jesus talked about hell, wrath and judgment. (hey grace people. Don’t freak out, He still loves you!)
-How little I know, compared to how much I think I know…
-How interesting Paul’s personality and way of thinking was..
-How unique, mysteious and special the land, nation, history, and future of the people of Israel is to God…
“Stranger still, the ancient religion of the Jews survives, when all the religions of every ancient race of the pre-Christian world have disappeared. Again it is strange that the living religions of the world all build on the religious ideas derived from the Jews” - The Ancient World, Professor T.R. Glover
“According to the materialistic and positivist criterion, this people ought to have perished long ago. It’s survival is a mysterious and wonderful phenomenon demonstrating that the life of this peopleis governed by a special predetermination…” - The Meaning of History, Professor Nicholas Berdkilaev of the Moscow Academy of Spiritual Culture
“It was Judaism that brought the concept of a God-given universal moral law into the world…the Jew carries the burden of God in history and for this he has never been forgiven” - Distinguished Catholic Scholar Edward H. Flannery
Today is Decemebr 31st. New year’s Eve. the beginning of a new year, and a chance to celebrate for many. Around the world, to many who acknowledge various liturgical calendars, today is the feast day of someone a little less popular than Father Time..
Sylvester was ordained bishop over the church in Rome in the year 314. This Christian brother served the church at a time when the Arian heresy and the Donatist schism had provoked great discord. After the peace of Constantine, he contributed greatly to the expansion of the faith throughout the Roman world.. Below is a reading I borrowed from a Catholic Missal:
Collect: Lord,
help and sustain Your people
as in the days of Bishop Sylvester.
Guide us always in this present life
and bring us to the joy that never ends.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I Myself will search for My sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the fountains, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on fat pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I Myself will be the shepherd of My sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in justice.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-19 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
This blog is is designed for those who are seeking to enrich their understanding of God's word, and get in touch with Christian heritage. This blog is a collection of devotions, admonitions, and ramblings thoughtfully written for pastors and minister's of the gospel.
(if you are a believer in Jesus, that's means you!)
Some topics you can expect here:
APOLOGETICS, THEOLOGY, DOCTRINE, CHURCH HISTORY, EVANGELISM, and DEVOTIONALS
The best way to benefit from this site is to subscribe. You can click on this option on the sidebar to your right. Feel free to search by category, or subject, or simply scroll down to view the archives.
May God bless you on your pilgrimage!
If you have any questions, topic ideas or prayer requests, email me at:
darrelllahay@gmail.com
CHURCH HISTORY (know it)
I believe that by looking back at our history, we can adequately prepare for our future. Just as much as our eschatology will determine our ecclesiology, so too, our connection with our roots and pillars, will inform our modern initiatives, and assist us in effectively advancing the Kingdom. Subscribe to C'mon Pilgrim, and you will periodically recieve breif, and easy to digest posts about church history.
God Loves Israel
"If the statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one percent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of star dust lost in the blaze of the Milky Way. Properly the Jew ought hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of. He is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his commercial importance is extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk. His contributions to the world's list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine, and abstruse learning are also away out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers. He has made a marvellous fight in the world, in all the ages; and has done it with his hands tied behind him. He could be vain of himself, and be excused for it. The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed, and made a vast noise, and they are gone; other peoples have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?"
Mark Twain, 1899
I'm a pastor in the beautiful Fraser Valley, a husband of one, and a father of four kids with Hebrew names. This blog is collection of thoughts, and posts about spiritual issues, lessons from full time ministry, life at large, philosophy, and apologetics. Read! Comment! Be blessed! Etc!
