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...

Over at Psalm 45 Publications Blog, I read a review of a new CD entitled "Didactic Music, Vol. I". The title caught my eye--love it! Although, I will not be purchasing the CD for myself--I am thrilled to see how the Lord is using some gifted young people today. Read the entire interview and especially the review that follows. It will, without a doubt, shock you--of that I am pretty certain. Interview with "Christcentric" There are several different reasons for writing and producing music: songs can be used to express worship to God, they can be more horizontally-focused, and attempt to say something worthwhile to other people, they can be artistic expressions of the different gifts that God has given us – what would you say your primary purpose is in producing music, and how does that affect the way that you go about your work? Evangel: I think our music can sort of be a combination of all of the above. Our music tends to reflect the heartbeat of our convictions at...

The Marrow Controversy— Do you know anything about the Marrow Controversy? If you were raised in a "Fundamental" church or perhaps a "Reformed" church where you saw little joy, yet a great deal of head knowledge; perhaps you will see the parallel between your experience and observations and what was going on in the Church in 1717 in Scotland. This is just one of thousands of examples of why knowing Church history can help guard against getting sucked into error and heresy. As you read this brief outline, think about your own attitudes and your own past experiences. You may be surprised how much you have been influenced by error which is veiled in pseudo piety. 1717 and 1722: Controversy in the Church of Scotland (reformed & Presbyterian church) 1717 Presbytery of Auchterarder—William Craig ordination trials. He would not affirm this statement, known as the Auchterarder Creed: “It is not sound and orthodox to teach that we must forsake sin in order to o...