Our book review is a follow-up to Meet the Puritans reviewed in the July/August edition of the Elim Refresher. The topic is prayer, published in one volume as three essays titled Prayer by John Bunyan, The Return of Prayer by Thomas Goodwin, and The Saint’s Jewel by Thomas Shepard. Read more…
Posted on September 1st, 2008 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library
It is inevitable, I suppose, that every four years the same questions are asked. People clamor for a position to be stated and defended, and if they hold an opposing opinion, they make all the more noise so that their take on the topic might be made known.
Hypothetical situations are bandied about. Facts, figures, statistics and analysis are the daily menu for many who are observing the political landscape. People and groups of people are labeled for the purposes of either succoring their attention or branding them as irrelevant.
Sadly, what I am describing is not the contest for the highest office in this land, but rather the commotion that goes on within the “church” in this country every time there is a presidential election. Even though it is only early September, it is difficult to escape political posturing and conversation among those who gather for supposed “ministry.” In fact, depending upon to whom you listen, you might just hear that if you are not taking a stand for or against a candidate then you are not doing God’s work!
Right. Read more…
Posted on September 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Our book review this month is Meet the Puritans, a compilation of short biographies on over 150 Puritans from England, New England, Scotland and the Netherlands. The authors, Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson, review 700 books written by these Reformed authors. (The term “Puritan” was first used in the 1560’s to refer to English Protestants who called for further reforms under Queen Elizabeth.) The writings under consideration almost vanished as a whole but were brought back into the public eye by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and others.
These are the Puritans familiar to me before looking over the current book under review: Henry Ainsworth, Issac Ambrose, John Bunyan, Jonathan Edwards, Matthew Henry, Benjamin Keach, John Owen and Ralph Erskine. So I only missed about 130!
Meet the Puritans, having about 900 pages, is suitable for months—or even years!—of extended study; or you can just look up your favorites. New to Elim’s library, this book will provide a wide scope of Reformed Christian writings done over a period of about 200 years.
Here’s a trivia question: In 17th century England, the books most frequently read by children were the Holy Scriptures and John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. If you can guess the third most popular children’s preference, I guess you don’t need to read this book!
Posted on July 1st, 2008 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library
Those who have attended our Tuesday morning Bible study in recent months have been partaking in a unique project. I’m reading aloud each of the epistles of Paul from start to finish, without additional comment until the reading is concluded. This approach has developed a great appreciation for the fullness of the arguments contained in each letter. Paul’s flow of thought really comes through when you hear the letter read much as those in the first-century churches would have heard it when it was originally written. Read more…
Posted on July 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
It is hard to believe that this is so, but the calendar proves that it is! When the first Sunday of June rolls around I will have spent ten years as the pastor of Elim Baptist Church. On the one hand it just doesn’t seem possible that ten years have elapsed, and on the other hand, when I consider all that has taken place, it seems incredible that everything has happened over a period of only ten years!
I can still recall that first weekend when I was moving the books into my study. Along came one of the young men of the church who began helping me move in. It wasn’t too long until we were engrossed in a serious conversation that ended up greatly changing that young man’s life. And it is such a joy to know that he is still a part of Elim, and he continues to grow in the things of God. Read more…
Posted on June 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pastor’s Pen
For review this month, Our Sufficiency in Christ by a familiar author in Elim’s library, Dr. John MacArthur. Instead of a complete overview, I feel that there are several paragraphs that represent the jist of the book. Read more…
Posted on May 1st, 2008 by Janet
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Church Library
John Wesley is a well-known name among Christians, and with many a good reason. Although there is much within his theology with which I am at odds, he was a tireless servant of Christ and His Church until his death at age 87. That he should serve long and well is really no surprise, for one of the most “famous” quotes of this preacher, evangelist and reformer summed up his penchant for living with an eye toward service:
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
Posted on May 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pastor’s Pen
It’s February, the shortest month of the year, as I write this review. And I’ve just finished reading the shortest book yet to be reviewed—96 pages! This will also be the shortest book review to date. And yes, we sing Doxology , a very short song, almost every Sunday. Read more…
Posted on March 1st, 2008 by Scott
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Church Library
Our book review this month is The Sovereignty of God by Arthur W. Pink. This book was recently given to those who attend the Tuesday morning BIble study, but I am confident a copy will find its way into the library. It is also worth mentioning that we are reading a book similar in subject to two previous reviews, Sinners in the Hands of a Good God and Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ. Read more…
Posted on February 1st, 2008 by Scott
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Church Library
Allow me to offer a very profound sentiment as I begin this month—pain hurts! Even now, as I write these words, I can hear the echoed “Amen” all over town. The “pain of pain” is something well-known to most of us, and it is one of those things that we are fairly certain we could do without.
But we would be wrong. Read more…
Posted on February 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pastor’s Pen
