Please Pray

It's 4:00 in the morning (ugh!) and I am leaving the house to get down to DC for today's literature distribution at the Pentagon. This is something that the military chaplains there are doing; I just get to represent the Banner, and help. Thanks to the many of you who have donated to the Book Fund, that made it possible for us to donate all of the books for this event. Please pray for me, for us, throughout the day. Many thanks.
By the way, our time at this year's PCRT (Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology) at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia was great. Grace & peace ... Steve
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ADDENDUM, Monday night, April 30th: Thanks for praying. It was a good day. The book titled, "The Promise," was by far the most popular one that seemingly everyone was interested in getting. We ran out early, which is great because it's the perfect book for this type of an event. Are you familiar with it? Oh, you should be, as a wonderful means of introducing someone to the Christian message. I'll write more soon. Steve

Women of Sovereign Grace Ministries Question Author Sharon James

Carolyn Mahaney and the several others of Sovereign Grace Ministries associated with the GirlTalk blog recently asked me to coordinate a Q&A time between the women who recently read "Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love to Thee" and its author, Sharon James. I was happy to do so, and the resulting questions and answers can be found in the following four posts over at the GirlTalk blog.
Sharon James Interview, Part 1
Sharon James Interview, Part 2
Sharon James Interview, Part 3
Sharon James Interview, Part 4
If you aren't familiar with the book, I strongly encourage you to check it out here. This biography of the one who wrote the popular novel "Stepping Heavenward," and the beloved hymn "More Love to Thee," will especially encourage those who have walked through some very deep waters.

I had NOTHING to do with this!

A promotion for the upcoming Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference (May 29-31) that I had NOTHING to do with! Oh my!
http://spurgeon.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/banner-truth-ministers-conference/

And here's yet another blog talking about the upcoming Banner Ministers' Conference: http://rmfo-blogs.com/cozart/archives/2007/04/23/2007-banner-of-truth-ministers-conference/

ON THE ROAD: At the PCRT, Philadelphia

Greetings from Philadelphia!
Banner of Truth is still "on the road" this week, now through the weekend at Tenth Presbyterian Church for the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology (PCRT). This year's conference theme is "The Word: Above All Earthly Powers," with messages from Philip Ryken, Ligon Duncan, Don Carson and RC Sproul. It looks like a great weekend ahead. From what I've been told, this conference has been "sold out" for weeks. The sponsoring organization, The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, has also set up a great bookstore with a number of books from Banner of Truth and other publishers, and our exhibit features the latest releases from The Banner and gives me a "home base" to meet and get to know a number of the people who are here.
While I have your attention, let me remind you that the final stop of this "On The Road" trip will take me to the Pentagon to work with the chaplains there in the distribution of hundreds of Banner of Truth books. I would appreciate your prayers, even now, as that day approaches. Thanks! Steve

Recommendations from NE PA

As often happens when I'm at various conferences, several guys approached the Banner book tables earlier this week in northeast Pennsylvania, saw a certain book, and shared its significance in their walk with God. This time, I heard the sixth recommendation for William Gurnall's "Christian in Complete Armour." I had the three-volume paperback abridged set with me, but Banner of course also has the one-volume original. This pastor said that he read the first couple of chapters a few times (he was reading the one-volume original), but once it sunk in, its impact was huge. Certainly should be checked out, if you haven't done so already. The second instance was a new one for me. The book? "The Imperative of Preaching," by John Carrick at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. "The best book I've ever seen on the subject," was the comment. "I don't know why Banner doesn't emphasize this more." Hmmmm, well, I'm sure there are numerous such gems on our shelves. Any others that you're aware of? KC Armstrong down at Hunter Street in Birmingham, believing that Banner has no bad book, suggested I feature titles that did not sell well last year. You know, that really could be a great idea. Coming soon to a blog near you! Grace & peace. Steve

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: The Great Gain of Godliness

SOURCE: Jason Button, sharperiron.org

SUMMARY: "Many of the statements I have shared, and more, have been on my mind over the past few weeks as I have been reading this book [The Great Gain of Godliness] and writing this review. Many Christians have ignored the Puritans out of ignorance and/or fear to their own loss. Some have only come in contact with those Puritans who are more difficult to read and have become discouraged about reading any more of them. I would urge you to pick up and read this book. Watson’s style is clear, crisp, and illustrious. He was not only a student of the Word but also well-versed in classical literature and history. These abilities, along with the Holy Spirit as his Helper, have made him an able minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of the doctrines of grace. I heartily recommend this book to all. You will be brought to your knees. -- Jason Button, sharperiron.com.

Click here to read Jason Button's complete review of Thomas Watson's, "The Great Gain of Godliness."

Always a Comedian, but Don't Miss this New Arrival from Banner

A little "behind the scenes" humor here from the Banner ... I will share the email with you that I got yesterday from Jake, our Warehouse Manager. Ready? OK, I opened my email yesterday and here's what I got!
"This is amazing…Jesus Himself just showed up at Banner of Truth!!! Okay, I just couldn’t resist that one! But the book is here."
Sure enough, "Jesus Himself" did arrive yesterday in our U.S. warehouse -- that is, the new Banner of Truth book, "Jesus Himself: The Story of the Resurrection," by Marcus Loane. Check the details and description of this new release on my previous post by clicking here, or go directly to the Banner of Truth Web site location for this book by clicking here where you can purchase the book for yourself.
And, thanks, Jake! I'm glad to know that "Jesus Himself" has arrived!

ON THE ROAD: At the BFC Annual Conference

Greetings from the 2007 Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church, taking place this week at the Pinebrook Bible Conference and Retreat Center in East Stroudsburg, PA. This actually is a special treat for me since my family and I are members of the Bible Fellowship Church in Harrisburg, PA. So, I am here with our two pastors (Carl and Mark) and one of our elders (Hank), along with approximately 250 other pastors and delegates from the 63 Bible Fellowship churches that exist in 7 states. As is true of most of my visits outside the office, I am again face to face with guys in ministry or in seminary, and am glad to have the opportunity to encourage and provide the great tools and resources available through the ministry of the Banner of Truth. Thus far, it's been good to hear a portion of what God is doing in various parts of the world, in Tanzania, Mexico, among other countries. Indeed, "in the whole world it [the gospel] is bearing fruit and growing." More to come ... Steve

Meet the Author of "Her Husband's Crown"

Exciting news ... for anyone planning to attend the Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP) Convention, May 11-12, in Harrisburg, PA ... Banner of Truth author Sara Leone will be joining me Saturday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. until noon, at the Banner exhibit to sign copies of her new release, "Her Husband's Crown." If you will be at this convention, stop by, meet Sara, and take home a signed copy of one of the Banner's newest releases. Or if you know of anyone coming, please pass the word.
"Her Husband's Crown: A Wife's Ministry and a Minister's Wife," is the newest addition to Banner of Truth's booklet series, brief publications of approximately 40 pages that are rich in content on a certain topic, issue or theme. This booklet, in particular, is a wonderful addition to the growing list of Banner titles with special appeal to women (in recent months, Banner has released the encouraging biography, "Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love to Thee" and the devotional and biography, "Susannah Spurgeon: Free Grace & Dying Love"). In "Her Husband's Crown," Sara Leone does provide encouragement and advice to women whose husbands are in the pastoral ministry. But no one should think this booklet is for pastors' wives alone. As Sara wrote in the introduction,
"Some time ago, I read several books and articles about the call to the ministry and the qualifications necessary for ministers. However I found it well nigh impossible to find much to read on the related subject of the life of a pastor's wife. A balance needs to be maintained between, on the one hand, elevating the pastor's wife to the position of 'The First Lady of the Church,' and on the other, brushing off any particular obligations on her part by claiming that she is just another member of the church. All pastors' wives have certain basic responsibilities laid upon them. My prayer is that this booklet will encourage and help pastors' wives in their practical service for the Lord. While I have written primarily for those who are the wives of pastors, I hope that this booklet will be a blessing to many Christian women in the fulfilling of their own special responsibilities. May you be encouraged to pray for and support your own pastor and his wife."
Chapter headings within "Her Husband's Crown" include:
- Provide a Quiet, Peaceful Home For Your Husband
- Fulfil Your Responsibilities as a Mother, Before Seeking Other Ministries in the Church
- Be a Sympathetic and Confidential Listener to Your Husband
- Be Gentle in Analysing Your Husband's Sermon for Him!
- Always Speak Well of Your Husband in Public
- Be Courteous to All Members of the Congregation, Showing a Christ-Like Spirit to All
- Don't Gossip
- Freely Disagree in Private About Church Policy with Your Husband, But be Tight-Lipped with Other Church Members
- Through Encouragement and Prayer, be Your Husband's Chief Supporter
- Remember that Your Husband is Judged in Part by Your Behaviour - Be an Asset, not a Liability, to Him
- Conclusion
"Her Husband's Crown," at 48 pages, is available in the U.S. for $3.00 from Banner of Truth. Enjoy!

Is $20 of Any Value?

Register for the upcoming Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference before end-of-day, April 30, and save $20! That's like getting a couple of Puritan Paperbacks for free! We still take reservations after May 1st, but why wait? And if you're "on the fence," trying to decide whether to come or not, send me an email (steve@banneroftruth.org) and let's talk! :-)

This year's speaker line-up includes: Sinclair Ferguson, Derek Thomas, Mark Johnston, Patrick Harrison, Ben Short, Jonathan Watson. Solid expository preaching and fellowship so good, I'm even spending the two nights on campus instead of heading home each night! This year, we'll be pleased to have Tony Reinke from The Shepherd Scrapbook blog join us; Tony will be blogging from the event in addition to whatever updates I might have time to share here. But don't settle for the blog when you can enjoy the real thing. Seriously, consider it! The dates are May 29-31, 2007, and the location is Grantham (near Harrisburg), PA.

To download the brochure, click here.

To go right to the online registration form, click here.

Murdered in a Christian Bookstore

I received the following email from a friend, recently back in Pennsylvania after serving with a Christian mission organization in Turkey.
"Hello dear ones. Two Turkish brothers and a German brother were murdered today in Malatya, in the southeast of Turkey. One of the Turkish brothers was a friend and dear brother to me. He leaves behind a wife and young child. Please pray."
He included the following quote from the information that he had received:
"Today at least three members of Malatya Kurtulus (Salvation) Church were murdered by the cutting of their throats by right-wing extremists in a Christian bookstore run by the church in that city of southeastern Turkey.... Your prayers are coveted for their families, the church, and Pastor who is on the road right now travelling to Malatya, at least six hours by car from Ankara."
May we continue to remember our Christian brothers and sisters whom God has called and placed in countries around the world. Grace and peace. Steve

Do You "Prize" Christ?

We had a staff meeting yesterday morning here at the US office of Banner of Truth during which time I shared from one of the chapters that has been really impacting me lately - from Thomas Watson's "A Godly Man's Picture." I began this Puritan Paperback on my flight to Jackson, MS last week and, quite honestly, had to set it aside after I got to Watson's tenth characteristic of a godly man. "Enough, please!" my heart seemed to cry. I needed time to process #1-10 before proceeding with the rest.

Among Watson's 24 characteristics of a godly man, #7 was the one I shared with our staff yesterday. "A godly man prizes Christ," or esteems Him as "precious," or is "captivated by the beauty of Jesus." Expounding on this, Watson writes,

-- "If we are prizers of Christ, then we prefer him in our judgments before other things. We value Christ above honour and riches; the Pearl of Price lies nearest our heart.

-- "If we are prizers of Christ, we cannot live without him; things which we value we know not how to be without.... Do those prize Christ who can sit down content without him?

-- "If we are prizers of Christ, then we shall not complain at any pains to get him.... Test by this! Many say they have Christ in high veneration, but they are not industrious in the use of means to obtain him. If Christ would drop as a ripe fig into their mouth, they could be content to have him, but they will not put themselves to too much trouble to get him. Does he who will not take medicine or exercise prize his health?

-- "If we are prizers of Christ, then we take great pleasure in Christ.... He who prizes Christ makes him his greatest joy.

-- "If we are prizers of Christ, then we will part with our dearest pleasures for him.... He who esteems Christ will pull out that lust which is his right eye.... He who sets a high value on Christ will part with his pride, unjust gain and sinful fashions. He will set his feet on the neck of his sins.

-- "If we are prizers of Christ, we shall think we cannot have him at too dear a rate.... Do not let him who refuses to bear his cross say that he prizes Christ.

-- "If we are prizers of Christ, we will be willing to help others to get a part in him. That which we esteem excellent, we are desirous our friend should have a share in it.... This shows how few prize Christ, because they do not make more effort that their relations should have a part in him.

-- "If we are prizers of Christ, then we prize him in health as well as in sickness.... He who values his Saviour aright has as precious thoughts of him in a day of prosperity as in a day of adversity.... Godless persons never look for Christ except at death, when they are in danger of hell.

Do I truly prize Christ? Ugh. I want to say yes, that each of Watson's points ring true within my heart. But should I not be honest? Then may we together accept this challenge, written 341 years ago ... "As we would prove to the world that we have the impress of godliness on us, let us be prizers of Jesus Christ." Indeed, let us! Grace & peace to you. Steve.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: Scottish Christian Heritage

SOURCE: Tim Challies, www.challies.com
SUMMARY: "On the face of it, or judging by the title, A Scottish Christian Heritage does not sound like the kind of book many people would enjoy. It sounds like a book that will dwell on a narrow topic and one that will be of interest to only a select group of people. But those of us who appreciate the writing ministry of Iain Murray know that what he writes is always worth reading.... In "A Scottish Christian Heritage," Iain Murray has done a masterful job of informing and edifying the church by drawing lessons from the history of just one small but influential nation. I recommend this book for any Christian, but particularly those in positions of leadership." -- Tim Challies (www.challies.com)

Click here for Tim Challies' complete review of Iain Murray's, "Scottish Christian Heritage."

Virginia Tech (3) ...

As you desire updates and pray, please reference this Web site at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg, VA. http://www.gracecovenantpca.org/

Virginia Tech (2) ...

Just to let you know, we have been in contact with an RUF leader on campus at VA Tech and a PCA pastor in the Blacksburg, VA area whom I was with just last week at Twin Lakes, seeking to offer any encouragement or help that we might be able to provide (little did we know in Jackson, MS last week what would befall that Virginia community). Please continue to pray for God's people in that area, and for the Lord's ministry through them during these crucial hours. Thanks.

Virginia Tech (1) ...

As you know by now, regardless of where in the world, literally, you happen to live, today has been historically marked as the day of the worst massacre in U.S. history. I received an email tonight from a friend who works with an on-campus ministry; he said that just one of the Christian campus organizations there at VA Tech would routinely have over 600 college students out to their weekly meetings. This friend of mine, Dave, will be serving as a regional crisis coordinator, and he is asking that we would pray for their staff team and students there as they try to minister to the hurting, while hurting themselves. Indeed, please join me in praying for the body of Christ there as they seek to minister.

The Deadline is Fast Approaching

Just a few short weeks before the end of the Early Bird Registration period for the upcoming Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference (May 29-31). Don't miss out. Register for the conference today and save $$$ by going to www.banneroftruth.org/reg/us.php.

To the Pentagon, Washington, DC

I would like to enlist you (pardon the pun) to pray for me Monday, April 30. On that day, I will be inside the Pentagon building, working with the chaplains to distribute Christian literature to the military officers and others who work inside that building. We have shipped hundreds of Banner books to the Pentagon for distribution thanks to many who have donated funds to the Banner of Truth Book Fund. Who, but the Lord, knows what office or what desk any one of these books will end up on. Please pray that, as we scatter His Word within that building, God would take each book as a seed and plant it exactly where He wants it. If you'd be willing to pray, I wouldn't mind hearing from you as a means of encouragement. Leave a comment, and as always, I'll reply. Grace & peace. Steve

Twin Lakes Fellowship - 2007

This gathering of pastors officially goes until Thursday, but I left camp a little while ago (Wednesday night) in order to crash at a hotel near the airport here in Jackson, MS, and catch an early flight home in time to celebrate our youngest daughter's 13th birthday (Thursday, April 12).
Overall, it's been a great week at Twin Lakes. It was good to sit among 200+ men, just one of many, receiving exhortations from the pulpit in areas of forgiveness, reaching out to those nearby, crossing over racial and cultural divides, etc. I appreciated the times of worship, and singing, and prayer, and the reading of God's Word. I was energized again with hearing of God's past work of amazing grace in the lives of these men, as well seeing their heart's desire for new breakthroughs of revival in many different places. I got reacquainted with several guys I'd met over the past year, and added some new friends ... guys young and old who expressed such great appreciation for the work of the Banner of Truth. An additional benefit, something I really enjoyed and am thankful for, was time spent with reformed Christianity's "blogger friend," Tim Challies (for details of the week, see Tim's posts, blogged live, at www.challies.com). Providentially, Tim and I ended up sharing the same room in the same cabin which lent itself to several late nights of good conversation. Thanks, Tim; I welcome and appreciate your new friendship. And thank you, Ligon Duncan and all of your staff, along with the Twin Lakes staff for another gathering that was executed so well. God is using this event; that was quite apparent.
As for me, time now for a few short hours of sleep here at the hotel before flying to Atlanta and on to Harrisburg, PA. Grace & peace. Steve.

From RURAL Mississippi

Greetings from the rural countryside outside of Florence, Mississippi - near Jackson - where the Twin Lakes Fellowship Conference is about to get underway. I, and my luggage, safely arrived yesterday and as of last night, Banner of Truth is once again set up, on location, here at the Twin Lakes Conference Center. It's been good already to see a number of guys I've gotten to know through my travels to previous conferences and seminaries, besides meet some new students here at RTS-Jackson and a number of other pastors from primarily the southeast, but several from far and wide. Interestingly enough, Tim Challies and I have finally met and even ended up bunking together. For "thoughout the conference" blogging on what goes on here, I'll defer you to Tim's site (www.challies.com). He's all set up here next to me and ready to bring you the details of what happens throughout the next couple of days. As for Banner, those back on the home front are getting your orders processed and shipped as fast as they can. It sure is obvious to us that you received the Spring mailer that went out last week. If you didn't, let me know (steve@banneroftruth.org); I'll send you one right away and get you on the mailing list for future announcements. For now, it's back to work ....

"But ... "

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Cor. 15:20). I trust that you each had a glorious celebration of the resurrection, as we did. Yes, indeed, the fact is that Christ truly has been raised from the dead!
Today, it's time to pack up and get to the airport - I'm flying to Jackson, MS this afternoon for this week's Twin Lakes Fellowship Conference. Hopefully more to come soon from there. Grace & peace. Steve

'Twas a Historic Week: The Next Day

"The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard."

Matthew 27:62-66 (ESV)

'Twas a Historic Week: The Crucifixion

Out of necessity, we skip 35 chapters of Krummacher's excellent book of meditations to get to Chapter 41, The Crucifixion, on this day. Again, my apologies for selectively choosing from this chapter. I don't know about you, but my heart is always heavy on this day of the year, even with Sunday's celebration in view. Grace & peace. Steve

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"'The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.' Let these words of the prophet Habakkuk be the language of our hearts on entering into the Most Holy Place of the Gospel history.

"The most solemn of all days in Israel was, as we well know, the great day of atonement, the only day in the year on which the high priest entered into the most holy place in the Temple. Before he approached that mysterious sanctuary, the law enjoined that he should divest himself of his costly garments, and clothe himself from head to foot in a plain white linen dress. He then took the vessel with the sacrificial blood in his hand, and, thrilling with sacred awe, drew back the veil, in order, humbly and devoutly, to approach the throne of grace, and sprinkle the atoning blood. He remained no longer in the sacred place than sufficed to perform his priestly office. He then came out again to the people, and, in Jehovah's name, announced grace and forgiveness to every penitent soul.

"We shall now see this symbolical and highly significant act realized in its full and actual accomplishment. The immaculate Jesus, of whom the whole Old Testament priesthood, according to the divine intention, was only a typical shadow, conceals Himself behind the thick veil of an increasing humiliation and agony; that bearing in His hands His own blood. He may mediate for us with God His Father. He realizes and accomplishes all that Moses included in the figurative service of the tabernacle. The precise manner in which this was accomplished we shall never entirely fathom with our intellectual powers; but it is certain that He then finally procured our eternal redemption.....

"After having unclothed the Lord, and left Him, by divine direction, only His crown of thorns, they lay Him down on the wood on which He is to bleed; and thus, without being aware of it, bring about the moment predicted in Psalm 22, where we hear the Messiah saying, 'Be not far from me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me about; strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.' O what a dying bed for the King of kings! My friends, as often as we repose on the downy cushions of divine peace, or blissfully assemble in social brotherly circles, singing hymns of hope, let us not forget that the cause of the happiness we enjoy is solely to be found in the fact that the Lord of Glory once extended Himself on the fatal tree for us.

"Oh, see Him lie! His holy arms forcibly stretched out upon the cross-beam; His feet laid upon each other and bound with cords. Thus Isaac once lay on the wood on Mount Moriah. But the voice that then called out of heaven, saying, 'Lay not thine hand upon the lad!' is silent on Calvary. The executioners seize the hammer and nails. But who can bear to look upon what further occurs! The horrible nails from the forge of hell, yet foreseen the sanctuary of eternity, are placed on the hands and feet of the righteous Jesus, and the heavy strokes of the hammer fall. Dost thou hear the sound? They thunder on thy heart, testifying in horrible language of thy sin, and at the same time of the wrath of Almighty God. Oh, how many sleepers have awakened from their sleep of death under the echo of those strokes, and have escaped from Satan's snare! Awake also thou that art asleep in sin, and rouse thyself likewise, thou who are lulling thyself in carnal security! How many a proud and haughty heart has been broken into salutary repentance by those strokes! Oh, why does not thy heart also break? For know that thou didst aid in swinging those hammers; and that the most crying and impious act which the world ever committed is charged to thy account.

"See, the nails have penetrated through, and from both hands and feet gushes forth the blood of the Holy One. O these nails have rent the rock of salvation for us, that it may pour forth the water of life; have torn the heavenly bush of balm that it may send forth its perfume. Yes, they have pierced the handwriting that was against us, and have nailed it to the tree; and by wounding the Just One, have penetrated through the head of the old serpent. O let no one be deceived with respect to Him who was thus nailed to the cross! Those pierced hands bless more powerfully than while they moved freely and unfettered. They are the hands of a wonderful Architect who is building the frame of an eternal Church - yea, they are the hands of a Hero, which take from the strong man all his spoil. And believe me, there is no help of salvation, save in these hands; and these bleeding feet tread more powerfully than when no fetters restrained their steps. Nothing springs or blooms in the world, except beneath the prints of these feet. The most dreadful deed is done, and the prophetic words of the Psalm, 'They pierced my hands and my feet,' have received their fulfilment. The foot of the cross is then brought near to the hole dug for it; powerful men seize the rope attached to the top of it, and begin to draw, and the cross, with its victim, elevates itself and rises to its height. Thus the earth rejects the Prince of Life from its surface, and, as it seems, heaven also refuses Him. But we will let the curtain drop over these horrors. Thank God! in that scene of suffering the Sun of Grace rises over a sinful world, and the Lion of Judah ascends into the region of the spirits that have the power of the air in order, in a mysterious conflict, eternally to disarm them on our behalf.

"Look what a spectacle now presents itself! The moment the cross is elevated to its height, a crimson stream falls from the wounds of the crucified Jesus. This is His legacy to His Church. We render Him thanks for such a bequest. It falls upon spiritual deserts, and they blossom as the rose. We sprinkle it upon the door-posts of our hearts, and are secure against destroyers and avenging angels. Where this rain falls, the gardens of God spring up, lilies bloom, and what was black becomes white in the purifying stream, and what was polluted becomes pure as the light of the sun. There is no possibility of flourishing without it, no growth nor verdure, but every where desolation, barrenness, and death.

"There stands the mysterious cross - a rock against which the very waves of the curse break. He who so mercifully engaged to direct this judgment against Himself hangs yonder in profound darkness. Still He remains the Morning Star, announcing an eternal Sabbath to the world. Though rejected by heaven and earth, yet He forms the connecting link between them both, and the Mediator of their eternal and renewed amity. Ah see! His bleeding arms are extended wide; He stretches them out to every sinner. His hands point to the east and west; for He shall gather His children from the ends of the earth. The top of the cross is directed toward the sky; far above the world will its effects extend. Its foot is fixed in the earth; the cross becomes a wondrous tree, from which we reap the fruit of an eternal reconciliation. O, nothing more is requisite, than that God should grant us penitential tears, and then, by means of the Holy Spirit, show us the Saviour suffering on the cross. We then escape from all earthly care and sorrow, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. For our justification in His sight, nothing more is requisite than that, in the consciousness of our utter helplessness, we lay hold on the horns of that altar which is sprinkled with the blood that 'speaketh better things than that of Abel.' and the Man of Sorrows displays to us the fullness of His treasures, and bestows upon us, in a superabundant degree, the blessing of the patriarch Jacob on his son Joseph: - 'The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.'

"There stands erected the standard of the new covenant, which, when it is understood, spreads terror around it no less than delight, and produces lamentation no less than joy and rejoicing. It stands to this day, and will stand forever. And wherever it is displayed, it is surrounded by powerful manifestations and miraculous effects. Look how the missionary fields become verdant, and a spring-time of the Spirit extends itself over the heathen deserts! Hark how the harps of peace resound from the isles of the sea; and behold how, between the icebergs of the north, the hearts begin to glow with the fire of divine love! From whence these changes? these resurrection-wonders? From whence this shaking in the valley of dry bones? The cross is carried through the land, and beneath its shade the soil becomes verdant and the dead revive.

"'I am crucified with Christ,' exclaims the apostle, and by these words points out the entire fruit which the cross bears for all believers. His meaning is, 'They are not His sins, for which the curse is there endured, but mine; for He who thus expires on the cross, dies for me. Christ pays and suffers in my stead.' But that of which Paul boasts is the property of us all, if by the living bond of faith and love we are become one with the crucified Jesus. We are likewise exalted to fellowship with the cross of Christ in the sense also that our corrupt nature is condemned to death, our old man, with his affections and lusts. We see the cross of Calvary unfold its full and peace-bestowing radiance. It arches itself, like a rainbow, over our darkness, and precedes us on our path of sorrow like a pillar of fire. O that its serene light might always shine upon our path through this vale of tears, and as the tree of liberty and of life, strike deep its roots into our souls! Apprehended by faith, may it shed its heavenly fruit into our lap, and warm and expand our hearts and minds beneath its shade!

From, "The Suffering Saviour: A Series of Devotional Meditations," F.W. Krummacher, first written in 1856, published by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2004.

'Twas a Historic Week: Instituting the Lord's Supper

Oh what must it have been like, to have been there, in Jerusalem, this week, on these days! We continue our focus, but again forgive me for not including the entire text of this sixth chapter. Ommissions are marked by "....").
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"The Passover had been kept, the pascal lamb had been consumed by the guests with feelings of deep emotion, and the festive cup had been several times sent round as was customary. The moment had now arrived when after singing the great 'Hallel,' or psalm of praise, the meal should be concluded, and the signal given to the guests to rise up and depart. Instead of this, what occurs? The Master, to whom all eyes were directed, rises from His seat - not, as is soon perceived, to leave the room, but - to commence a new and still more solemn act than that of eating the Passover. In the capacity of the head of the family, He again takes the bread, breaks it, and after giving thanks, distributes it to His disciples. He then likewise reaches them the cup, and commands them all to drink of it.
"Let us cast a look at the actions with which our Lord accompanied the words of institution of the Supper. We read, first, that 'the Lord ... took bread (1 Cor. 11:23) ....
this most indispensable of all the means of nourishment and sustenance, the product of the most valuable of earth's fruits, which presents, at the same time, such an extremely striking image of Him without whom we have no spiritual life....
"After the Lord had taken bread, He lifted up His eyes toward heaven, and 'gave thanks' - that is, He poured out His heart in praise and thanksgiving to His heavenly Father.... However, He did not merely give thanks, but, according to Matthew's expression, He also blessed.... After our Lord had given thanks and blessed, He 'broke' the bread. Nor is this without a deeper meaning, as He Himself declares immediately afterward, in the words, 'This is my body, which is broken for you.' Hence the whole of the apostolic statements of the institution of this sacred ordinance do not fail to record this breaking of the bread. Jesus broke it as symbolic of that which should soon occur to His own body, by which He should become our atoning sacrifice and the Bread of life. In the breaking of the bread He depicted His own death to the eyes of the disciples; and the sublime and admirable tranquility with which He did so, again testifies of the infinite love to sinners which pervaded His heart.
"Our Lord presented the bread, thus broken, to His disciples; and it is here that we see Him in His proper office, and favourite vocation. Giving, presenting, and communicating are His delight. As then, so now, His hand is stretched out in His feast of love. We, His servants, retire, as regards ourselves, entirely into the background, while administering the communion. We are then nothing but His instruments. He Himself is always the dispenser and giver.
"At the consecration of the cup, the same formula was repeated as at the consecration of the bread. After renewed thanksgiving and blessing, our Lord presented it to His disciples, and invited them all to drink of it. He calls the cup His blood, even as He designated the bread His body; and, both elements united, indicate and represent the whole Christ, inasmuch as He gave His life, which is 'in the blood,' unto death, as an atoning sacrifice for us.
"That the Lord did not select water but the fruit of the vine, for the symbol of His shed blood, was done from the wisest motives, and only enlarges and diversifies the meaning of the selected symbol. Christ is the real vine, and we possess divine life, only in so far as we, like the branches, grow through Him, and are pervaded by His influence. Besides, the cup reminds us of the wine press of torture and agony, in which the Son of God was to become our Saviour and Mediator, while the bread represents His body, offered for the deliverance and blessedness of His believing people.
"What an incomparable legacy, therefore, has the Lord left us in His sacred Supper! What a fullness of heavenly blessings and mercies has He showered down upon us in this unpretending institution! Let us therefore highly estimate this precious bestowment. Let us often avail ourselves of it by repeated and devout approaches to the sacred table for the sanctification and glorification of our inner man. Only let us be careful to appear in true communion attire - in child-like simplicity and godly poverty of spirit; and on our return from the holy place, we shall feel ourselves constrained to render heartfelt and joyful thanks unto Him, who has bought us with His blood, and be more than ever resolved to live and die to His praise."

From, "The Suffering Saviour: A Series of Devotional Meditations," F.W. Krummacher, first written in 1856, published by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2004.

First Review is in for New Puritan Paperback

This is great! It's almost 10:00 Wednesday night. I just got home from church and I see that I got a text message from Austin, one of the guys who works in our warehouse and packing room at The Banner of Truth. He and I have talked about reading this new Puritan Paperback, "Temptation: Resisted & Repulsed," as soon as it arrives. Well, it apparently came in yesterday (I was off), so here's the message Austin sent me tonight, "I am reading the author's preface to Temptation and already I can tell this is going to be a great book!" There you have it. The first review to hit the Net! And I don't even have my copy yet! Thanks Austin; keep reading, my friend! And good night everybody ... More tomorrow. Steve

'Twas a Historic Week: Washing the Disciples' Feet

The week continues, as does our meditations based on Krummacher's, "The Suffering Saviour." Please forgive me for not posting entire chapters - while a perfect length in the book, it might be a bit much for a blog site's post.
Steve
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"We are approaching, in our meditations, a very solemn section of our Lord's history. Jesus has completed His sojourn on earth, and the eve of the great and awful day of atonement has arrived. He assembles His followers around Him once more, in the social chamber of a friend's house in Jerusalem. Once more they are permitted to look into their Master's faithful heart, and to feel how much God has given them in Him. Never was the recollection of the affecting circumstances which took place that evening erased from their memory. The tranquil majesty displayed by their Lord and Master - the astonishing degree of ardent affection which manifested itself in every look, and every word - the heavenly peace which shone forth in His whole deportment - His cheerful and filial resignation to the will and counsel of God; and with all His dignity, such amiable condescension, while in every expression of His lips, and in all His actions and conduct, there was something divinely profound, consoling, and mysterious. The whole scene was overpowering and heart-cheering in a manner they had never before experienced. They felt themselves translated, as it were, into an outer court of heaven, and would have felt infinitely greater blessedness than even in the glory of Mount Tabor, had it not been for the anticipation of their Master's approaching departure, which threw a melancholy gloom over their joy....
"In this sublime and twofold consciousness, we see Him unexpectedly rising up from supper; and for what purpose? To appear in His dignity? To display the splendour of His divine glory? To constrain His disciples to bow the knee in the dust before Him? One might imagine so; but no, He has something very different in view. Look, what means that? He lays aside His upper garments, takes a towel and girds Himself with it; pours water into a basin, bends down to the feet of the disciples, and begins to wash them in their turn, and then to wipe them with the towel. What a spectacle! It is enough to make one start, and to hold one's breath with astonishment! Are we not ready to exclaim aloud, 'Lord, Lord, what art thou doing?' Think of the Holy One, who came down from heaven, thus engaged with sinners; the majestic Being, whom angels adore, abasing Himself to the occupation of a menial servant! No, we should never be able to make such an action agree with His high dignity, were we not acquainted with His wonderful and peculiar sentiment. He no longer knows His followers 'after the flesh'; He sees in them those whom His Father has given Him - those whom God so loved, that He gave His only-begotten Son for them - the objects of an eternal and paternal counsel of mercy - beings, who, notwithstanding the sin which still cleaves to them, carry in their bosoms the work of the Holy Spirit, and in it the seed of God; and still more than all this does He behold in them. They are to Him the spiritual bride, clothed with the sun; for they stand before Him arrayed in the royal robe of His righteousness.
"O great and significant symbol! O powerful exposition of the words 'I came not to be ministered unto, but to minister!' O important testimony to that which is of value in His kingdom, and to that which is not! O impressive condemnation of all selfishness and self-exaltation in the children of men! O deeply affecting commendation of humility and self-denial, as the characteristics of His children, and amiable and ennobling instance of that love, which ought to animate us! And how much more than all this is there not comprised in this act of our Lord's? It testifies of the sweetest, most glorious, and most exalted things in store for us, as will now be exposed to our view.
"The disciples continue motionless and lost in mute astonishment. And how are they now ashamed of ever having striven among themselves as to who should be the greatest! They could almost bury themselves in the earth for confusion and regret. How humbled do they feel, and what tenderness and love pervade their hearts! With feelings of blissful astonishment, they suffer their Lord to act as He pleases with them.
"The work of unheard-of condescension proceeds in silence, until the turn comes to Simon Peter. Here, as might be expected, resistance is offered and a stand is made. When the Master approaches him, his face flushes with a fiery excitement. He hastily draws back his feet, and, as on a former occasion, he exclaimed, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!' so now he cries in the violence of his feelings, 'Lord, dost thou wash my feet?' He can not comprehend how any thing so unseemly should take place. The glory of the Lord and the worthlessness of the creature contrast too strongly. How deeply does Peter abase himself in this expression of his feelings, and how highly does he elevate his Lord and Master! 'Thou, the Holy One,' is the language of his heart - 'I, a worm of the dust! It can not be.'
"But however commendable may have been such a feeling in Simon's soul, it was nevertheless, in other respects, culpable and improper. He ought to have remembered his Master's own words: 'I came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.' It is His peculiar office to cleanse the polluted and to purify the unclean. What would have become of us had He not condescended to the depth of that depravity in which He found us? Simon thought it would be more befitting for him to wash his Master's feet. Yes, do not cease to wash them with penitential tears; but in other respects let Him wash and cleanse thee, otherwise how wilt thou escape eternal perdition? But Simon does not understand his Lord, and has no idea of his error. Jesus, therefore, replies to him in the well-known words, 'What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.'
"But will not this remark of our Lord's induce Simon to resign himself wholly to Him? On the contrary, Simon thinks he ought to preserve his Master's dignity, and therefore exclaims, in a very decided tone, 'Thou shalt never wash my feet!' Simon, however, forgot that obedience is better than sacrifice. O, my friends, if you wish to honour Jesus, do so by submitting to His Word! He says, 'I am come to seek and to save that which is lost.' 'No,' you reply, 'I can not imagine that His divine Majesty will trouble Himself about the prayers of such a worm as I!' O unreasonable zeal for the divine dignity! It is the will of God that we should glorify Him in this very particular, that we believe Him to be the hearer of prayer.
"'Thou shalt never wash my feet!' said the mistaken disciple. But listen to the Saviour's reply, 'If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.' What an important declaration is this! You perceive how the more profound and mystic meaning of our Lord's act shines forth in these words - namely, as having reference to the blood of atonement, to forgiveness, justification, and purification from sin. You know how much lies concealed in this passage, and how every syllable has its profound signification. 'If I wash thee not.' Yes, Thou, Lord Jesus, must do it; for who ever purified himself from sin? 'If I do not wash thee.' Yes, Thou must wash us; for teaching, instructing, and setting us an example, is not sufficient. 'If I wash thee not.' Certainly, what does it avail me, if Peter or Paul is cleansed, and I remain defiled? I must be forgiven, and it remains eternally true, that he who is not washed in the blood of Christ has no part with Him, nor the blessings of His kingdom....
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"Let the words, then, ever sound in our ears: 'If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.' May they expel all false security from our souls; give us no rest day or night until they cast us down at His footstool, and if He has not yet cleansed us, call forth from our bosoms the words of Peter: 'Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!'"

From, "The Suffering Saviour: A Series of Devotional Meditations," F.W. Krummacher, first written in 1856, published by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2004.

In participation with "Testimony Tuesday"

I have heard of many new holidays in recent years, usually created by the likes of a Hallmark or American Greetings company aimed at selling more cards. But obviously for other reasons, Tim Challies’ at his blog, Challies.com, has declared today “Testimony Tuesday,” inviting the myriad of bloggers to stand up and testify to God’s rich grace in their lives. I couldn’t exactly find an online greeting card for the occasion, but decided to slip in my own personal word of praise before the stroke of midnight (did I make it?) on this year’s “Testimony Tuesday.”

Unlike many testimonies that I’ve read today at Challies.com, I did not grow up in a Christian home or church. Oh, we had religion, but we didn’t have Christ. I would join my older sister and brother in attending Mass each Sunday with Dad; Mom never attended. Interestingly enough, something about that place captured my interest; I soon became an altar boy, assisted the priests with the Mass and various other duties around the church, and frequently imagined becoming a priest one day. But long before I knew, God was working out a different plan. Only years later would I learn that His plan included the prayers of a dear Christian aunt living in Cincinnati who hardly knew me, yet had been faithfully praying for me and my salvation since my birth.

My sister was the first to encounter the Savior and receive the gift of faith, through the witness of a Bible college student living in a nearby apartment. But it was my brother’s conversion that was most instrumental in my own encounter with God. A new believer, he told me one afternoon that he had decided to be baptized in the Baptist Church – “Wow,” I thought, “My brother’s got guts!” But when he next told me that he was going to invite Dad to come to the service, I thought he was really seeking a battle. You see, ecumenicalism hadn’t yet come of age, at least in my little town in western New York; Catholics just didn’t go inside non-Catholic churches, for any reason. But God … (don’t you love those words in Ephesians?) … But God … had other plans. My brother asked. My father said yes not only for him but for our whole family. And soon I was on foreign soil, a Catholic teen in a Baptist pew, listening to what I would later know to be the gospel – the good news.

It is interesting to look back on that night and ask myself, “Did I leave that place a new creature in Christ?” Or were seeds sown and watered and fertilized that night, with the harvest coming a bit later? I cannot honestly say for certain. But the harvest did come. God’s work of regeneration was done. By the grace of God alone, through faith, I called upon the name of the Lord, and believed.

Life clearly took on some changes from that day foreword, as in church attendance, family relationships, even school performance. To this day, I can still remember that feeling of freshness as I read Genesis and beyond for the very first time. I had traversed some rough junior high years that took me through some hard and emotional times, resulting in some counseling. But I later remember sensing a distinct difference in my thinking with Christ at the helm that soon lead me away from the sessions and medication, replacing them instead with a growing trust in the Savior’s presence and abilities.

I am ashamed to say that the years since have not reflected ever-consistent spiritual growth, or an ever-increasing hunger and thirst after the Savior. I am indeed not without sin. There are ample times when I would so welcome the ability to rewind the videotape of my life, not to view it but to change it. But our God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and not treating us as our sins deserve. And in his graciousness and lovingkindness, including His discipline, the Lord has faithfully guided me along and blessed me with innumerable blessings, far beyond what one’s imagination might conceive. Today, years later, I am headed into year #22 of marriage. I have an incredible wife, three solid children, and the privilege of working every day for a ministry-focused organization, The Banner of Truth.

My maternal grandmother, perhaps a bit eccentric in her later years, would often say, “I can remember back better than I can ahead.” Still with the smile that that always brought to my face, there is some rich truth in what she was saying.” For you see, I, too, can remember back better, and it is good to do so, because that’s where I can see the hand of God on so many different aspects of my life. And in looking back, I am encouraged and my faith grows.

We do serve an absolutely wonderful God!
Grace & peace,
Steve

'Twas a Historic Week: The Entry Into Jerusalem

I refuse to ignore the fact that this is indeed a most historic week. And so, sitting at the mall, near the talking Easter Bunner and colored baskets, I sit and I read, "The Suffering Savior." Read some of it with me here this week, will you? And may you, too, refuse to ignore the events that transpired leading up to that particular Passover.
Grace & peace...
Steve
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"That He is the Christ, the Son of God, and that we have every reason to trust in Him, is confirmed to us by His own consciousness of being so. We find Him proceeding to Jericho on His last visit to Jerusalem. On arriving at the Mount of Olives. He requests two of His disciples to go into the village over against them, where they would find an ass tied, and a colt with her. These they were to loose and bring to Him.

"Observe here that He sees the animals He is in want of at a greater distance than the eye could reach. Even in this circumstance we see something superhuman breaking through the lowliness of the Saviour's form. He then gives instructions respecting the ass and her colt, with a decision which betrays to us the Governor of all things. He tells them, 'If any many say aught unto you, ye shall say, the Lord hath need of them, and straightway he will send them.' He says, 'the Lord,' and not 'the Master' only, or 'Jesus of Nazareth'. This is a title of majesty, a name of dignity, by which He elevates Himself high above every creature, and declares Himself to be Jehovah. 'The Lord hath need of them.' As the mere Son of man, He never could have spoken this of Himself without being guilty of blasphemy. But He knows who He is, and how He may call and entitle Himself, and He utters the words with firmness and dignity.

"But will the owner feel induced, at the mere expression of the disciples - 'The Lord hath need of them' - to resign the animals to them? Assuredly he will. The Lord has no doubt of it, but is perfectly confident that, as the Lord from heaven, there was nothing which was not His, that He had power over all things, and that His eternal Father would grant such a power with His words that, as He expressly says, the owner would 'straightway' send them. Oh, let us revive from our state of despondency by the consideration of our Lord's self-consciousness, as here manifested, which substantiates His superhuman glory.

"The ass's colt is led away with its parent. The disciples lay their garments upon it as a covering, and the Lord seats Himself upon the animal in order to ride into Jerusalem. This seems a trifling feature in the case, and scarcely worthy of notice; but look a little deeper, and its importance will increase. Our Lord by this act, testifies something infinitely greater respecting Himself than would have been the case had He suddenly placed Himself upon a royal throne, or had made His entry into the Holy City beneath a gilded canopy, and arrayed in a purple robe. It is evident, and the Scriptures expressly inform us, that our Lord had in view, at that moment, an ancient divine prophecy. You will read it in Zechariah 9:8,9. Jehovah there says - predicting the future - 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold they king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.'

"This is a delightful prediction, at which the whole world of sinners ought to rejoice. It is a gracious star of hope in the hemisphere of the Old Testament, greeted for centuries by the saints of God with tears of ardent longing. More than four hundred years had elapsed after these words had been uttered, when, on the summit of the Mount of Olives, the Man of Nazareth appears, and calls to mind this ancient prophecy. On the point of approaching Jerusalem, He orders an ass and its colt to be brought Him, seats Himself upon one of them, and publicly enters Jerusalem upon it, in the presence of assembled multitudes.

"But what does He testify by this mute but significant action? What else than that the prophet's words are being fulfilled in His own person? What else than that He is the promised King of glory, just, and having salvation, and bringing peace to His people? What else than as if He had said, 'It is I, whose dominion shall extend from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth? It is I; therefore rejoice, O daughter of Zion! and shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!' Yes, He announces this as loudly as with a voice of thunder. No other meaning can lie at the bottom of that scene. If Jesus were not the promised King of Peace, with what epithet should we be compelled to designate that act? But He knew what He did, and how far He was justified in it; and hence, in His entry into Jerusalem, we have a new, powerful, and actual proof that Christ was the true Messiah announced by the prophets, and at the same time, the only-begotten Son of the Father, our Mediator, and eternal High Priest."

From, "The Suffering Saviour: A Series of Devotional Meditations," F.W. Krummacher, first written in 1856, published by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2004.

They Will Be Here Thursday!

The truck will be at our warehouse this Thursday with these new releases from Banner of Truth. If you'd like us to ship you a copy on day #1, get to our Website now and place your order. We'll do our best to get the shipment in and yours out without delay. "Her Husband's Crown" is the latest in our booklet series, and "Temptation: Resisted and Repulsed" is the newest addition to our Puritan Paperback Series, and "The Life of John Murray" is just one that you're going to want to have :-) . Details on all three, as well as the other five new releases due to arrive soon, can be found by scrolling down to previous posts here or by going to www.banneroftruth.org. Thanks! Steve