The Wood's Secret Garden

I awoke this morning and immediately pondered the words of our Lord, "For MY sake have I done these things" and then a rather negative poem started formulating in my head. I realize that it is not very "humble" sounding. It is more of a prophet's cry to the people then a self-abasing realization of my own sinfulness. But, it was in my head and here it is. Nothing eloquent - just a heart cry: The Mask of Christianity Empty smile painted faces Extended hands and social graces Little boys who know their verses Women with designer purses Suits and ties – a bible clutched Whose hearts the Savior has not touched Sit in pews as worship starts With vacant eyes and empty hearts Actors trained and singers taught They sit and rise without a thought Of who He is, and yet they come Their gaze is blank—their hearts are numb They walk around from day-to-day With empty words you hear them say “Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord” Their sheath is bare—they have no sword. A mask of ...

I have followed a young man's blog for a couple of years now and have seen him grow in the Lord in leaps and bounds. It has filled me with great joy, as I have prayed for years that the Lord would raise up young men to pastor His church--young men filled with the Spirit and with Truth. His recent series on "Repentance" is well worth reading as are many of his posts. The following is a recent post from this young man's blog that I wanted to have here to refer back to from time-to-time as I see a great deal of wisdom in it. As you read it, think about the filters and methods being used by your local church and consider if changes need to be made. Or share why you might disagree with the concerns expressed in this post. One of the undercurrent movements of evangelical renewal in local churches has been the rise of missional communities. These small communities are distinct from your typical home groups or small-groups because what unites them and defines them is ...

Too many who have undertaken the work of the ministry do so obstinately proceed in self-seeking, negligence, pride, and other sins, that it is become our necessary duty to admonish them. If we saw that such would reform without reproof, we would gladly forbear the publishing of their faults. But when reproofs themselves prove so ineffectual, that they are more offended at the reproof than at the sin, and had rather that we should cease reproving than that themselves should cease sinning, I think it is time to sharpen the remedy. For what else should we do? To give up our brethren as incurable were cruelty, as long as there are further means to he used. We must not hate them, but plainly rebuke them, and not suffer sin upon them. To bear with the vices of the ministry is to promote the ruin of the Church; for what speedier way is there for the depraving and undoing of the people, than the depravity of their guides? And how can we more effectually further a reformation, than by ...

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 LET your life be a clear reflection of the glory of the Redeemer. The saints of God are the only witnesses to this glory—the only reflectors the Lord has in this dark and Christ-denying world. Holiness, springing from the fount of the Spirit's indwelling grace, cherished and matured by close views of the cross, and imparting a character of sanctity of beauty to every act of your life, will be the highest testimony you can bear to the Redeemer's glory. That glory is entrusted to your hands. It is committed to your guardianship. Seeing, then, that it is so, "what manner of people ought you to be, in all holy conversation and godliness!" How exact in principles, and upright in conduct—how watchful over temper, and how vigilant where most assailed—how broad awake to the wiles of the devil, and how sleepless against the encroachments ...

"Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." A man does not need to forever walk through life with blinders on in order to gain victory over his unholy lusts. In fact, as his mind and heart are gradually transformed by the Spirit of God through the Word of God, he finds that he can walk through this world with his eyes wide open and the things that were once stumbling blocks will have little to no power over him. In fact, immoral things that once enticed him to sin, he will find as, not only unattractive to him, but actually nauseating. No "accountability group" can accomplish this; no amount of self discipline or behavior modification can accomplish this. Unless there is an inward transforming going on--a renewing of the mind; these "techniques" used to conquer lust will fail miserably every time. Until a man actually hates what used to entice him to sin, he will be a prisone...