Calvin on Salvation

Let us, therefore, understand that there is no salvation whatsoever outside of Jesus Christ, for He is the beginning and the end of faith, and He is all in all. Let us continue in humility, knowing that we can only bring condemnation upon ourselves; therefore, we need to find all that pertains to salvation in the pure and free mercy of God.(From John Calvin’s Sermons on Galatians)

Anglican Church in North America

Former Episcopalian leaders from across North America gathered in Bedford, Texas on Monday to launch the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), described as an “alternative” to the U.S. Episcopal Church within the Anglican Communion.

The new denomination claims 100,000 members from several varieties of Anglican spirituality described as evangelical, charismatic or catholic. A union of eight groups, it is seeking recognition as part of the Anglican Communion.

The new denomination's constitution emphasizes biblical authority, church discipline and evangelical missionary outreach.

The Episcopal Church has been afflicted by controversies over theological and moral issues, including the authority of Scripture, the ordination of women and the ordination of an openly homosexual man as bishop.

Former Episcopalian Bishop of Pittsburgh Robert Duncan leads the group, which expected 300 delegates including 50 bishops for its meeting.

Bishop Duncan addressed a crowd of leaders in St. Vincent’s Cathedral, telling them that it is a “new day” in which God the Father is “drawing His children together again in a surprising and sovereign move of the Holy Spirit. He is again Re-forming His Church."

The foregoing from the Catholic News Agency. I wish this new denomination well. In many respects they are like my own Presbyterian Church in America; seeking to be faithful to Scripture and church polity. God Bless them.

37th General Assembly of the PCA

Well, the Assembly is history and some of the actions were fit for our being in the land of Mickey Mouse (Orlando - Disney World Convention Center). Everything was overpriced. I had the opportunity to renew a friendship from Covenant College; I'd not seen David in 40 years - since graduation. Good friends in Christ are to be cherished! Home tomorrow to see how much Caitlyn, our brand new grand daughter, has grown this week.

Happy Birthday US Army

Happy Flag Day as well.

Words for the Lord's Day

From the pen of John Calvin: On Our Debt to Christ (Thanks to Ligonier)

Let us draw from these words a good general principle: namely, in order to worship God, we do not need to look around either here or there to figure out how much we owe him. For we owe him a hundred thousand times more than we can ever pay, and though we try as much as possible, still we must confess that we are unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10). (From Sermons on 2 Samuel: Chapters 1–13).

Calvin (Jean Cauvin) was born July 10, 1509 in Noyon, France. Check out the events commemorating the quincentenary of his birth at Calvin500.

One of Those Weeks

I feel like Andy Rooney - "Did ya' ever have one of those weeks when ... ?" One of the first rules of military conflict is "No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy." Well, this week the enemy was the schedule which is tight a week before the PCA's 37th General Assembly. There was not much wiggle room and trying to cram two weeks worth of work into one is just not working. Still, two weeks of sermons, bulletins, special events like the birth of a granddaughter and a dear friend's birthday and administrvia all squashed in make me uncomfortable and stressed. However, the grand baby's middle name is GRACE - exactly what I need and what John Piper reminds us of in Future Grace is supplied in sufficiency each day by the God of all grace. Thanks be to God!

Grandchildren

Grandchild number 5 arrived at 10:33 am on Monday, June 8. Caitlyn Grace is a fine, healthy, and beautiful baby. She missed her cousin Katy's birthday (3) by a day. God is good.

Summer Reading

I admire Dr. Al Mohler and his reading, writing and remembering all he has read. There was a video clip promoting the Together for the Gospel 2008 conference in which C. J. Mahaney randomly picks a book off Mohler's shelf and Dr. Mohler is able to report on what it contained. C. J. was amazed and I was happy because I too have the book and Dr. Mohler was right on about it. That being said, Dr. Mohler has given us a list for summer reading here at his blog.

So in my next post I'll imitate the good Dr. Mohler and clue you in on my summer reading. Enjoy

Killing of Abortionist George Tiller

The murder of late term abortionist George Tiller yesterday is a reprehensible act. As a Christian and an ardent Right-to-Life supporter I am appalled and fearful. These snips from Michelle Malkin's web site explain why:

Every mainstream pro-life organization has unequivocally condemned the killing.

Princeton University professor Robert P. George is right about this: “Whoever murdered George Tiller has done a gravely wicked thing. The evil of this action is in no way diminished by the blood George Tiller had on his own hands. No private individual had the right to execute judgment against him. We are a nation of laws. Lawless violence breeds only more lawless violence.”

Prepare for collective demonization of pro-lifers and Christians — and more gratuitous attempts to tar talk radio, Fox News, and the Tea Party movement as responsible for the heinous crime.

Prepare for the continuing redefinition of any and all sharp political disagreement as “hate” — a ruinous trend that may well lead to more [my comments follow] fascist tendencies in our government.