Head-dibs

Exclusive! James White Reported to Have Shaved Head Bald PHOENIX, ARIZONA In recent photos taken this week, Christian apologist, radio commentator and founder of Alpha & Omega Ministries , James White reportedly had his head shaved. White was seen entering a small local Phoenix establishment known as "Charlie's Barber Shop" at approximately 8AM on Monday morning. He then asked the head barber, Charlie Forsyth, to "give him the regular." Get the scoop here !

For a moment there I thought it was going to be Rick Warren . . .

"Some people come to church with a thimble and then spill it on the steps when leaving." (John MacArthur)

I’ve determined that as much as one enjoys trampling through the sweltering humid triple-digit summers of the South-east in a long-sleeve shirt, battling mosquitoes and fire-ants (through the sting of sweat in one’s sun-glassed eyes); as much as one enjoys reaching through the briars and the brambles, deep into bushes where the rabbits only go; as much as one enjoys the pain of berry-picking for the sole purpose gaining the pleasures of those berries pick’d, so one enjoys the pain and pleasure of reading Jonathan Edwards. Each time I sit down with my big book of Edwards (pick a volume), I brace myself for the next plunge into the briar patch. While taking a short quote from Edwards is near impossible, here are some points that left their deep scratches on me. Here’s a peek into my berry-bucket: in the first set, are some selected points concerning judgment; in the second set, some just should either quit going to church . . . or start going. From his sermon on “ The Final Judgment: The...

“Londoners” by Oswald Chambers (written April 4, 1894 at age: 20) Busy, driving, rushing Londoners, Driven, palefaced, wiry blunderers, Striving ever, Praying never, Busy, driving, rushing Londoners. Thoughtless, flippant, godless Londoners, Tricky, gasping, cruel plunderers, “Doing” ever, “Done by” never, Thoughtless, flippant, godless Londoners. Tired out, weary, haggard Londoners, Beer-sopped, feeble, worn-out conjurers, Struggling ever, Resting never, Tired out, weary, haggard Londoners. Silent, lifeless, buried Londoners, Death and Time have proved true sunderers, Gone for ever, Remembered never, Silent, lifeless, buried Londoners.

Early this month, our brother Scott helped us remember how “ God loves Mules, but Don’t Be One ” from Psalm 32:8-11. Thanks, Scott. I came across this poem by Marion Susan Campbell: “I thought is strange He asked for me, And bade me carry Him; The noblest one of all the earth Into Jerusalem! But rumor goes He loves the meek And such on him might call; That may be why He trusted me, The humblest beast of all. Yet though He was so great and wise, Unequaled in His might, I scarcely knew I bore a King, So light He rode—so light! They sang Hosannah in the streets, But I have heard men say The only time they praised their King Was when He rode that day. Men pushed and shouted all around, The air was thick with cries; They spread their garments at my feet, And palms before my eyes. They strewed the narrow road with boughs, And barred my path again— But the tenderest hand I ever felt Was on my bridle chain.” Charles Spurgeon gives us the following thought in his incredible sermon, “The Lowly ...

For those who read e-texts: (HT: Jonathan Edwards Center)

Responding to my last post, one reader commented on the section dealing with the failure of Psychology with the following: “ Certain paradigms of psychology (specifically the psychoanalytic and humanistic you mentioned) do not lend themselves well to science. That said, there are models, such as the cognitive-behavioral model, that are far from pseudo-science. The CBT model fairs so well in its attempts to demonstrate statistical significance in therapy, that is has even rivaled and surpassed the efficacy of many psychotropic medications. This is not some contrived psycho-philosophical idealogy that some Austrian intellectual pulled from a half-baked positivism; this is science. Is it an end-all answer? Absolutely not; but, if you are proposing that a nouthetic model is the only way to go, then I would ask that you take a second look at what you are considering .” I would like to underscore two features: first, the posts I am making at present have nothing to do with counseling, but ra...

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” (Proverbs 25:2) Reading an author’s introductory remarks brings great light to the purpose of writing. One truly cannot fully appreciate a work without hearing what the author says of his motivations, influences and reactions. Take for example Richard Wright’s novel “Native Son.” This work cannot be understood correctly without knowing who Bigger Thomas to the author and what his role is in the story—these comments are made in the introduction. There is no place for such explanation in the body of the work. A good introduction (and a good preface) provides the key to show how a work is to be read. This is what Calvin does for his readers in his Prefatory Address. Immediately the author at the doorstep explains the work in its final form is not what he originally set out to write, and so he greets the reader. His purpose is two-fold: to supply the people of France with spiritual food...

A railway worker in charge of a drawbridge took his small son to work with him one day. Immediately after a large ship had passed under the up-raised bridge, the worker started to lower it for a rapidly approaching train. As he set the machinery in motion, he heard a scream of pain, and turned to see that his son had fallen into the huge gears. In split second, the worker realized he had a choice to make: reverse the gears, free his son and wreck the train; or, allow his son to be crushed so the train could pass in safety. As the train roared over the bridge, drowning out the screams of his son, the passengers on the train waived joyfully at the worker, unaware of the sacrifice he had made for them. In the same way today, so many people go roaring joyfully through life, waving at God, unaware of the sacrifice He made of His Son.

Thanks to The Old Paths : A pastor had just concluded family worship, and was in his study reading a portion of the works of Archbishop Leighton, when he was called down to see a visitor. Descending to the parlour, he found Mr. G. standing before the mirror, with his hat in one hand…As they met, the young man with a confident air, said, “Mr. P., I have called to converse with you about your sermon last Sabbath.” “I am glad to see you,” said the pastor mildly; “be seated, and tell me your wishes.” “Well, sir, you insisted upon repentance and faith as first duties. I was not entirely satisfied with your reasoning. I have some points of difficulty which embarrass me. Perhaps you can so explain them as to relieve me.” Mr. G. then proceeded to state his difficulties, not in the clearest terms, but in a manner that exhibited some forethought and contrivance. They were certain metaphysical questions which have been a thousand times answered to the satisfaction of all honest minds, but which h...

Since the 12 th century the English language has enjoyed the word “wisdom” as the fruit of the root “wis,” an archaic word which means “to know.” So, in a manner of speaking, humankind has been on the seemingly never-ending, ever-winding Yellow-brick road, braving the journey with our companions in this small world for the single purpose that we may someday meet the “Wis.” Then what? Go back to Kansas? What ultimate deliverance is mankind seeking in the quest “to know?” Release from ignorance? The object of knowledge is allusive; though, when we speak of wisdom, we refer to that object that embodies the accumulation of all that is learned philosophically, scientifically and theologically. Immediately the dilemma arises in that our collective knowledge philosophically and scientifically originates out of ourselves; that is, within the framework of mankind. So what have we learned other than what someone else thinks? Is this wisdom? Solon of Athens gave us, “Know thyself.” What...

“Lord, help me to glorify thee; I am poor, help me to glorify thee by contentment; I am sick, help me to give thee honour by patience; I have talents, help me to extol thee by spending them for thee; I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve thee; I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but thine, and glow with no flame but affection for thee; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of thee and for thee; Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose: I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into thy treasury; I am all thine; take me, and enable me to glorify thee now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.” (Spurgeon, Morning and Evening Feb. 15)

I greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art, My only trust and Savior of my heart, Who pain didst undergo for my poor sake; I pray Thee from our hearts all cares to take. Thou art the King of mercy and of grace, Reigning omnipotent in every place; So come, O King, and our whole being sway; Shine on us with the light of Thy pure day. Thou art the life, by which alone we live, And all our substance and our strength receive; Sustain us by Thy faith and by Thy power, And give us strength in every trying hour. Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness, No harshness hast Thou and no bitterness; O grant to us the grace we find in Thee, That we may dwell in perfect unity. Our hope is in no other save in Thee; Our faith is built upon Thy promise free; Lord, give us peace, and make us calm and sure, That in Thy strength we evermore endure. (attributed to Jean Calvin)

Stop by and see the new website for First Baptist Church in Columbia ! And make certain you catch us online through Live Broadcasts and our growing new and soon-t0-be growing archive ! Can you tell I'm excited?

They all know there is a God.

7. His first words to the congregation on Sunday morning are "All right, listen up you heathens..." 6. He falls asleep during his own sermon. 5. He shows up for Sunday service wearing Bermuda Shorts and a Tank Top. 4. Every time his pager goes off, he shouts, "Why can't they just leave me alone?!" 3. Announces baptismal services will be at the Grand Canyon. 2. You go to his office for counseling and pour your heart out to him and he says, "Sounds like a personal problem to me." 1. For the past two months he has preached the same sermon every Sunday.

Spurgeon (1834-1892): Me:

" . . . pure and genuine religion, namely, confidence in God coupled with serious fear—fear, which both includes in it willing reverence, and brings along with it such legitimate worship as is prescribed by the law. And it ought to be more carefully considered that all men promiscuously do homage to God, but very few truly reverence him. On all hands there is abundance of ostentatious ceremonies, but sincerity of heart is rare." Calvin, J., & Beveridge, H. (1997). Institutes of the Christian religion . Translation of: Institutio Christianae religionis.; Reprint, with new introd. Originally published: Edinburgh : Calvin Translation Society, 1845-1846. (I, ii, 2). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.