Grace spotting
We were blessed to be able to give thanks to God as we gathered together on Sunday March 12th to learn in our Sunday School classes, and to hear from 1 Thessalonians 5.18 which said, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Sermon
Here is a sermon from Charles Spurgeon on giving thanks which he preached from Col 1.12-13, a text which was referenced on Sunday.
St Patrick’s Day
Since the phenomenon of a global St Patrick’s Day is coming on March 17th, its good to separate fact from fiction and to see what we can learn from this Christian in the ancient church.
Article
Start with this bio of Patrick from Dr. Michael Haykin.
Audio
Here is a Dr Haykin’s talk on Patrick
Book
Dr Haykin also wrote a book on Patrick of Ireland: His Life and Impact, published by Christian Focus.
Article
For a different take on Patrick that connects to global human trafficking, you can read this older National Post article I wrote, St Patrick Knew All About Human Trafficking.
Beginnings
Video
Adam and Eve as Historical Figures: Al Mohler and Bryan Chapell talk about why this truth is so important.
Movie Premiere
The movie, “Is Genesis History?” is showing on Tuesday (and Thursday?) at the Eau Claire theater. It appears to be the only place in Alberta showing the film. See Tim Challies introduction to the movie . It looks like it’s at Eau Claire Tuesday at 8pm. Maybe a good guys night out as many of the women are at bible study!
Devotional
Audio book
Art of Contentment by Thomas Watson. This is a free audiobook read by one of the volunteer narrators at Librivox (they also have an app!). The book is a small gem filled with Watson’s pithy sayings. A Puritan at his best!
Video
I am N: ‘Sacrifice’ In this RightNow Media video from Voice of the Martyrs we are reminded of the fellowship that exists between Christian beleivers in Iraq and those in our church. Our youth group watched this on Friday and discussed the question of how we would stand up to temptation when we were called to compromise like the Iraqi Christians were when ISIS took over. (Our church subscribes to RightNow Media, and is free for all of our members).
Picture
Robert Bryden painted this festive scene during a communion ‘season’ in Scotland when the church members would gather over a weekend, much like a conference, and the culmination was the Lord’s Supper being celebrated together.
Thanksgivings
What thanksgivings are you offering to God this week? Maybe you’d be helped by considering the classic opening of the Heidelberg Catechism, along with its scripture references:
HC Q1: 1. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death,[1] am not my own,[2] but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ,[3] who with His precious blood[4] has fully satisfied for all my sins,[5] and redeemed me from all the power of the devil;[6] and so preserves me[7] that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head;[8] indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation.[9] Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,[10] and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live unto Him.[11]
[1] Rom 14:7-9; [2] 1 Cor 6:19-20 [3] 1 Cor 3:23; Tit 2:14 [4] 1 Pt 1:18-19 [5] 1 Jn 1:7, 2:2; [6] Jn 8:34-36; Heb 2:14-15; 1 Jn 3:8 [7] Jn 6:39-40, 10:27-30; 2 Thes 3:3; 1 Pt 1:5; [8] Mt 10:29-31; Lk 21:16-18; [9] Rom 8:28; [10] Rom 8:15-16; 2 Cor 1:21-22, 5:5, Eph 1:13-14; [11] Rom 8:14