Pastor Brad’s Notebook

31 Jul

Posted at 06:00h in Sunday Mornings
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From Dr. Parker’s Sermon on Song of Solomon 5-8 "Almighty God, thine eyes are continually upon our conduct; thou dost watch us, whether our vigilance towards thee be wakeful or not. We have reason to say day by day, Thou God seest us. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself mighty on behalf of those who put their trust in him. All things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do; there is not a word on our tongue, there is not a thought in our heart, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. May we live under this impression, and may it be to us an impression full of graciousness and hopefulness, because of the purity of our desire and the constancy of our fidelity; may we be enabled to make our appeal unto God, saying, The Lord knoweth, and into his hand I commit my spirit. We bless thee that thine eyes are upon us, for thus thou dost make us of account; though our days are few, and our strength is but varied weakness, yet thou dost care for us with the solicitude of love, and

30 Jul

Posted at 07:30h in Worth The Read
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It’s been a wild week in American politics and church world. The Democratic National Convention kicked off by omitting “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance and ended by nominating the first woman to the presidency of the United States. As a life-long political junkie, the past two weeks have been intriguing if not infuriating. In between the speeches and the pundits I’ve found time to read several posts that caused me to think and reaffirmed convictions I’ve held for decades. I hope that you enjoy and are helped by this week’s list, and don’t forget that just because I list an author or article here doesn’t mean that I fully endorse or even agree with them at all.

24 Jul

Posted at 06:00h in Sunday Mornings
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From Dr. Parker’s sermon on Song of Solomon 2
"Almighty God, thou leadest man by a way that he knoweth not. It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Thou knowest all the way, and we see of it but an inch at once. Lead on, thou Mighty One, full of grace and wisdom, full of tenderness and full of judgment. Strength and beauty are with thee. Thou canst not do wrong. Thou wilt pity us when we are infirm. Thou knowest our frame, thou rememberest that we are dust; thou wilt not hasten us unduly on the journey of life. Thou dost cause the sun to set, so that we cannot see the road; then thou dost give thy beloved sleep. Sometimes we are faint, yet even then, by thy grace, pursuing. Our faintness does not lead us to change the road. We rest awhile, we wonder about the new scenes and relations of things, and behold, even in dreams thou art good: for thou dost show to the sealed eyes what is never shown to the open vision. Night and day thou art good. Thou hast stars for the night as well as a sun for the daytime. Behold! who can find

23 Jul

Posted at 06:00h in Worth The Read
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Summer is coming to a close and school is just around the corner. I hope you’ve had a great couple of months, gotten a little rest and refreshment and are ready for things to get back to “normal.” This week’s post contains several helpful articles that deal with time management and efficiency from which I think you'll benefit. There is one article on eschatology whose premise I disagree with (I don’t believe that premillennialism began in the early 19th century. I hold that our view of the rapture and end of the age – that Jesus could physically return for His church at any moment is clearly taught in scripture and was held by the earliest Christians), but it’s helpful to read nonetheless. My former professor, George Guthrie’s post on the importance of word studies is a beneficial, practical read, and the rest deal with many of the current issues facing Christians living in a fallen world. Enjoy!