June 20, 1885

A Cross for Christ…A Cross for You!

On June 20, 1885 a band of Moravian missionaries landed on the shores of Alaska and established the Bethel Mission. During their first year of mission work among the natives, winter temperatures fell to fifty degrees below zero.

It is not always “comfortable” to serve Jesus Christ. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” No self-denial means we really aren’t in the “imitation mode” or “discipleship mode” with Christ.

A little Sunday School chorus has been ringing in my ears in recent days. Some times the truth is so succinct, so clear in just a few lines.

“Jesus and others and you, what a wonderful way to spell JOY,

Jesus and others and you, in the life of each girl and each boy.

J is for JESUS for HE has first place

O is for others you meet face to face

Y is for you and whatever you do, put yourself last and spell Joy – J-O-Y!

This chorus is not too fancy but it drives home the point doesn’t it? The Christian faith is a cross-centred, Christ-centred faith. “…who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross!” Amen!

 

June 19, 1834

Today – June 19, 1834 – Birth of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, English Baptist preacher and one of the greatest public speakers of his day. God blessed and the congregation in London grew to six thousand members.

From “He Won Them for Christ,” consider this story penned by Eric Hayden.

“Spurgeon was visiting the Crystal Palace to see where they were going to erect the pulpit.  In order to test the acoustics of the building he stood up and said in a loud voice, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”  In one of the galleries, a workman, who knew nothing of what was being done, heard the words, and they came live a heavenly message to his soul.  He was smitten with conviction on account of his sinful way of life.  Putting down his tools he went home and a spiritual struggle began.  It ended when he yielded to Christ and found life and peace by believing in the Lamb of God.  It was many years later that the story came out.  The man told it to one who was visiting him on his death-bed.” 

Hayden writes, “Thirteen simple words that contain such a wealth of theology and gospel resulted in a ‘pearl’ in a crystal palace.”   Thank God that HIS word will never return void.  It will accomplish the purpose for which HE sent it.

 

June 17, 1942

Matheson Is Scene of Pretty Wedding

Today, June 17th, I’m reflecting on my parents marriage. Dad went to be with the Lord in May 2004 and Mom in August 2005, but they were married almost 62 years. Here is the newspaper article describing the wedding.

Notice a few things as you read the article.

1) Their favourite hymn – “All The Way My Saviour Leads Me.” This hymn sung on June 17, 1942 echoed through the years through the trials and blessings God entrusted to them.

2) …Mr Edwards is employed by the Abitibi Power and Paper Company in Smooth Rock Falls. Dad worked there for a few years until they bought his uncle’s farm in Hilliard Township in 1946. Dad was a tremendous administrator and bookkeeper and served in the lumber camp during the war years. His clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ at times led to ridicule but God enabled him to be faithful to Jesus Christ. Later he was called at Thornloe to serve in a pastoral ministry (October 1952) at Thornloe Crossroads Baptist.

I am grateful to God for His blessing in their lives and for the rich heritage entrusted to us as children. We are indeed blessed!

 

June 13, 1793

On this day in 1793, William Carey set sail for India.  Within five years he had translated nearly the entire Bible into Bengali.  Today Carey is still acclaimed as “The father of modern missions.”

This picture was taken in the home of Jack & Lorraine Chen, the manse of Carey Baptist Church.  I am holding a draft version of a great project, A Bengali Bible Dictionary & Concordance.

Just yesterday I had the joy of meeting with the Chens and of seeing the final hardbound copy.  What a tool!  Give thanks to God for one more tool to equip Bengali  leaders to study and preach God’s word in their own language.

As God provides and directs, I have been invited to return to Kolkata later this year and engage in another session of training some of these strategic leaders.   May I mobilize you to begin praying for God to make all the plans come together so that His name may be glorified, His people built up and national Bengali leaders better equipped to serve their Lord and ours, Jesus Christ!

“We have heard the Macedonian call today, send the light, send the light!”   “Lord, here am I, send me!”

 

June 8th, 632 B.C. Not Considered A Central Figure….You think???????

I confess….I don’t understand….I’m confused…..Today in “This Day In Christian History,” a paperback overview I picked up at a bookstore last year in the USA, I found the following entry.

June 8 – 632 A.D. “Death of the Muslim prophet Mohammed, who founded Islam in 622 and wrote the Koran.  Though not considered a central figure in Judeo-Christian history, Mohammed’s last words are worth noting:  “O God, pardon my sins.  Yes, I come.”

#1 I don’t think Muslims believe that Mohammed wrote the Koran.  He wrote down the Koran as it was dictated to him (supposedly).   Even Dr. Peter Gentry, in last week’s Proverbs’ class at TBS, contrasted the Muslim view of inspiration with that of the Bible.   2 Timothy 3:16, 17 “All Scripture is God-breathed….”  2 Peter 1:21 “Holy men of God spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit……”   The Spirit of God did not “dictate” the Bible, with prophets and apostles serving as stenographers!

#2 Though not considered a central figure in Judeo-Christian history.…   Who picked this wording?   In Islamic history, Jesus ‘fits’ into the main message of Islam as simply a prophet.  In Christianity, Mohammed represents a false faith, which does not confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, which does not portray the truth that Jesus Christ is GOD manifest in the flesh, which certainly does not worship Jesus Christ as He clearly was worshiped throughout the New Testament.

#3 O God, pardon my sins.  Yes, I come.   If this statement is true, Mohammed was acknowledging that only God can forgive sins, but was he prepared to fasten his faith in Jesus Christ, who would “save His people from their sins?”

Let me conclude by restating a classic text on God’s amazing plan of salvation.   “For GOD, so LOVED the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16   That’s it!  That’s all!

 

June 7, 1913

Ohio -born Methodist evangelist George Bennard introduces his new hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” during a revival meeting in Pokagon, Michigan.

Wikipedia adds the following -

“Bennard was born in the coal-mining and iron-production town of Youngstown, Ohio. When he was still a child, his parents relocated the family to Albia, Iowa. Some time later, they moved again to Lucas, Iowa. Although the young Bennard aspired to become a Christian evangelist, he was compelled to support his mother and sisters when his father died suddenly.

After marrying, Bennard became active in the Salvation Army and preached throughout the United States and Canada. He spent much of his life in Michigan and Wisconsin. As a well-regarded author of Christian hymns, his most famous work is “The Old Rugged Cross”. Bennard retired to Reed City, Michigan, and the town maintains a museum dedicated to his life and ministry. He died in Reed City, Michigan, where the local Chamber of Commerce erected a cross near his home.

Bennard is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.”

Here’s a unique version of this well known hymn from YouTube

 

 

June 6, 1844 YMCA – “Spiritual Condition?”

Happy Birthday YMCA!

In London on June 6, 1844 young merchant George Williams and twelve coworkers established the Young Men’s CHRISTIAN Association.   Organized to combat unhealthy conditions arising from the Industrial Revolution, the original mission of the YMCA was to improve “the spiritual condition of young men engaged in drapery and other trades.”

So YMCA, how are y’all doing in improving the SPIRITUAL CONDITION of young men???   Last time I checked the “Y” at their website – YMCA Canada I found the following text -

“The YMCA was established over 160 years ago as a charity dedicated to the health of both individuals and communities. Our focus on inclusiveness and accessibility means we serve people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through all stages of life. Through YMCA financial assistance programs, the YMCA is accessible to all.

Today, there are 45 YMCAs and 6 YMCA-YWCAs in Canada that offer programs and services tailored to each community’s needs. Together, they serve 2 million people in more than 1000 communities across Canada – and they keep growing. All Associations are members of YMCA Canada, which works to strengthen associations and advocates on their behalf, regionally, nationally and internationally.”

Seems to me the “spiritual condition” was missed, even as they acknowledge their history.

 

June 5, 988 A.D.

This Day in Christian History cites Kiev’s Grand Prince Vladimir who formally embraces the gospel and orders his people to be baptized into the Orthodox Christian faith.  He is considered the first Christian ruler of that nation and afterward erected numerous churches, promoted education and aided the poor.

No amount of water can change the human heart.  Regeneration is a work of God’s Spirit as Paul testifies to Titus – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to HIS mercy HE saved us,through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Though some have sought to tweet the gospel in 140 characters, why not the truth “HE saved us.”  That’s it!  That’s all!

 

June 1, 1841

On June 1, 1841 – Scottish missionary David Livingstone departs for Africa to become a missionary explorer.  Livingstone ultimately penetrated the deepest reaches of the continent, where he proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today, Graydon Baker will launch on a bicycle trip across Canada to raise awareness of the need of the Rufiji people of Tanzania  as he and Sarah and their son prepare to take the gospel to them.

I wondered this morning as I prayed what it would be like for Graydon to meet David Livingstone.   Talk about kindred spirits!

Join in this challenging and exciting venture and commit yourself to pray for this 2 month trek and long-term for this new advance in declaring God’s Glory among the nations of the world.

Here’s the link to Graydon’s website – http://ride4rufiji.com/

 

 

 

May 31, 1699

On this day in 1699, Alexander Cruden was born.   He was a Scottish bookseller and compiler of Cruden’s Concordance, first published in 1737 and still a standard reference today for the KJV Version of the Bible.  What a tool!  What a labour of love.

Here I am (January 2013) holding a Bengali concordance, produced in Kolkata as a labour of love.   Pastor Jack Chen gave the privilege of holding this tool which will bless God’s people.  Please join me in my burden to pray for and provide resources for the leaders of West Bengal.   We are so blessed.

Here is a link to a free ebook of Cruden’s Concordance.   One tool of many to show the glory and wonder of God’s word!

Here’s a link to the Wikipedia article on Alexander Cruden.  Note his passion to the safeguard (Corrector) of the nation’s spelling and grammar.   Can’t you hear the Scottish rrrrolling of the “r’s” in grammarrrrrrrr?