Living Out The Truth -- 3 John 1-8

Living Out The Truth -- 3 John 1-8

Sinners Who Want to See God -- Isaiah 64:1-9

Many people, whether they believe in God or not, desire to see God come down and do something. However, if God were to come down, that coming would result in something they don't want, because all their wrong doings would be shown for what they are. So how can a sinner who want to see God ever do so?

Sinners Who Want to See God -- Isaiah 64:1-9

Last Week's Sermons

I didn't get these done last week, and when I did get them converted into MP3 files, I did not take the time to upload them. However, as I was doing today's AM sermon, I posted last weeks as well

The Surprise Dividing Line -- Matthew 23:31-46

Warning Against False Teachers -- 2 John 7-13

We Had More Snow

The forecast for the last two days, and to a lesser extent for today was snowsqualls off the lake. For some places near us they were calling for 50 centimeters (that is almost 2 feet) by today. Not only did they get that already yesterday, but they have gotten more today.

We got our share as well. I don't know the exact amount, but there was about a foot and a half in the driveway this morning to clear out. Thankfully we have a snowblower.

Here are some pics.

First one of our backyard:


Now look at this wonderfully happy dog:


Now a pic of the front through the window:


And finally a pic of the vehicles in the driveway:

I Wish This Was In The ESV

Since the English Standard Version came out, it has grown to be one of my favorite translations. I am looking forward to someday getting an ESV Study Bible, and then I stumbled upon this. For those of you familiar with Jonathan Edward's Blank Bible, this is very similar. What Edwards would apparently do is take a Bible and remove the binding, then insert blank pages between all the pages and get it rebound. That would allow for lots of space for taking notes. Well, now we have something like that in the NIV. I just wish something similar was available in the ESV because, frankly, wide margins are not enough room for me.

http://www.sermoncloud.com/bethel-reformed-church/walking-in-the-truth-means-walking-in-love----2-john-4-6/

This is the second in a series of sermons on 2 John. Sadly the first sermon was not recorded due to technical difficulties.

When the truth is on the line our desire should be to defend the truth. However, as we defend the truth we can often do so in the wrong way. Not in holding to and defending the truth, but in doing so in a unloving manner. Instead, we must live in the truth and live in love.

Living In The Truth Means Living In Love -- 2 John 4-6

How Should Christians Respond To Persecution -- Psalm 83

Today the congregation I served participated in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. As we did so we considered how we as Christians should first and foremost respond to persecution.

How Should Christians Respond To Persecution -- Psalm 83

A Resident Who Probabably Won't Be Resident Long

I noticed this rather interesting resident in our house a while back. I snapped some pictures, and showed Annette. That was probably not wise as she hates spiders in the house, and will probably end this one's life eventually. However, I kind of like the look of him/her. As far as I can determine this is an Orb weaver spider, but if someone knows differently, I would love to know. BTW, they are harmless to humans.

This Morning

Last night we went to bed with snowsqualls actively happening where we live. This is what we woke up to this morning. I know some people will hate this, but I think it is beautiful. My mine will probably change by February or March though.

And They Call This Global Warming!

Today is the 28th of October. Throughout the day we have had snow mixed with rain. Now I look at the Environment Canada weather website and this is what I see:

Weather warnings in several counties including ours.

And it isn't just any warning, when you click on the counties with warnings, this is what you get:

Goderich - Bluewater - Southern Huron County
3:22 PM EDT Tuesday 28 October 2008
Snowsquall warning for
Goderich - Bluewater - Southern Huron County issued

Significant snow squall event setting up for tonight and Wednesday.

This is a warning that snowsqualls are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.



Although Halloween is still three days away..Some frightening weather is beginning to appear already.

An east coast storm is intensifying as its centre heads from western Massachusetts to just east of Montréal this evening. Periods of rain will change to snow heavy at times this evening over eastern Ontario. Snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 centimetres are expected in this district before it eases off somewhat later tonight then tapers to a few flurries on Wednesday.

Strong northwest winds of 50 gusting up to 70 km/h tonight in combination with the snow will create hazardous driving conditions due to snow and blowing snow with low visibilities especially when the mercury edges just below the freezing mark. Also any residual leaves left on trees may create additional concerns of snow-laden limbs affecting power lines.

Farther west..Strong cold northwest winds blowing over the relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes will set up significant snow squalls. Scattered wet flurries or showers are currently falling to the Lee of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron this afternoon but will intensify this evening and gradually change to snow away from the shorelines. Showers will linger near the shorelines.

Two main bands will set up. One will stretch from near Grand Bend to London and St Thomas. The other will come ashore from Georgian Bay near Wasaga Beach and affect communities southeast to Newmarket.

Snowfall amounts in the squalls will locally reach 15 centimetres tonight with additional similar accumulations possible on Wednesday. Amounts may be somewhat less in the Newmarket area..Closer to 10 cm tonight and 5 on Wednesday.

Strong northwest winds of 30 gusting 50 km/h will cause local whiteout conditions in squalls. As a result driving conditions will become quite hazardous due to very low visibilities and icy roads.

Then a glance at the local radar:


Yup! This is global warming alright. Man made too. Good thing I like snow.

Keep Away From Idols -- 1 John 5:21

Wrapping up our study of the 1st letter of John, we looked at his closing statement.

Keep Away From Idols -- 1 John 5:21

Christ Alone -- Acts 4:11-12

This Reformation Sunday we looked at how salvation is in Christ alone.


Christ Alone -- Acts 4:11-12

I Can Identify

I read this today and have to say I can identify. There are times when it very much seems that I am one of a very small number in our denomination, our Regional Synod, and even our Classis. I know I am not alone, as there are a others in the Classis and I know in the Regional Synod and the Denomination who share these same thoughts and feelings. However, they are scattered about, and that leaves one feeling alone in the wilderness. I echo the thoughts of the author, who points out it is for this reason the Banner of Truth Minister's Conference is so refreshing to me as well. It is a place where I meet other ministers who, although they come from many denominational backgrounds, all share the commitment to the doctrines of grace and the authority and sufficiency of scripture.

Tool Definitions

This made me laugh, because for the most part it is all too true:

DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted part which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.

WIRE WHEEL: Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, ''What the...??''

ELECTRIC HAND DRILL: Normally used for spinning pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age.

SKILL SAW: A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.

PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

BELT SANDER: An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

VISE-GRIPS: Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

WELDING GLOVES: Heavy duty leather gloves used to prolong the conduction of intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

OXYACETYLENE TORCH: Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub you want the bearing race out of.

TABLE SAW: A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.

HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.

EIGHT-FOOT LONG YELLOW PINE 2X4: Used for levering an automobile upward off of a trapped hydraulic jack handle.

E-Z OUT BOLT AND STUD EXTRACTOR: A tool ten times harder than any known drill bit that snaps neatly off in bolt holes thereby ending any possible future use.

BAND SAW: A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.

TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST: A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.

CRAFTSMAN 1/2 x 24-INCH SCREWDRIVER: A very large pry bar that inexplicably has an accurately machined screwdriver tip on the end opposite the handle.

AVIATION METAL SNIPS: See hacksaw.

PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER: Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids and for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.

STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER: A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws.

PRY BAR: A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.

HOSE CUTTER: A tool used to make hoses too short.

HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the object we are trying to hit.

MECHANIC''S KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while wearing them.

DAMMIT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling ''DAMMIT'' at the top of your lungs. It is also, most often, the next tool that you will need.

HT: Dafrogtoad at AstroSafariVans.com

Three Things We Know II -- 1 John 5:18-20

Knowing how Christ has changed those who believe, and what the world is really like is the focus on the second of the things we need to know as believers in Jesus Christ.

Three Things We Know II -- 1 John 5:18-20

Three Things We Know I -- 1 John 5:18-20

What we know affects how we live. As John draws his letter to a close, he points to three things that we need to know to stand firm.

Three Things We Know I -- 1 John 5:18-20

In God's Image -- Genesis 1:26-31

What makes human beings special? What sets them apart? In Genesis 1 we find the answer, they are made in the image of God.


In God's Image -- Genesis 1:26-31

She's Coming Home

In about 15 to 30 minutes, Annette will be leaving the True Woman conference in Chicago, and will be heading home. Talking to her last night she has enjoyed the conference a great deal, and has been challenged to grow through the various speakers. My hope is she has a safe drive home. It will be good to have her back, hopefully by about 9PM tonight.

Going Well

Things are going well here while Annette is off to the True Women conference. However, Justin seems to think that getting up various times throughout the night to go to Grandma's room is ok. That keeps all of us up which is not that great.

I am finding feeding the baby bunnies to be a lot of work. They are going to be 4 weeks old on Saturday, so weaning time is coming up. All of them eat well from the bottle except for one who only drinks out of a saucer. The other saucer drinker died yesterday probably because it decided eating the wood chips that make up the bedding would be a good idea.

I am off to feed them again. Then to do the rabbits outside. Then to do my regular work.

I got an e-mail from Annette and she is enjoying the conference.

We Need One Of These

I saw this video posted by a friend on facebook. Once I saw it I wanted one as we have a dog that is a real ball hound, and she is smart enough to figure this out. It would keep her busy and tired for hours.