no preachers in Heaven

Nevin in the intro to Schaff's POP makes the passing statement that "there will be no preachers in heaven." What a great thought, the struggle will have ceased and only worshipers will be needed.

Catch up!

I'm currently reading the principles of protestantism by Phillip Schaff. Amazing read. Writen in the 1840's he could have just been at one of our presbytery meetings or our general assembly. Reformed churches don't change much and thats good and sometimes not so good. He speaks about making war on error within the church (we do that a lot you know) without throwing out the truth of the factions we are struggling against( unfortunately we're likely to do this to). For instance the idolatry of the church of Rome is evil, yet much of the forms and liturgy do in fact declare the Gospel of Christ in a biblical fashion. This doesn't make the idolatry (bowing before statues, praying to Mary as an intercesor as part of worship) ok- in fact it makes it more serious. But we must not throw out all things that even hint of organized liturgical religion along with the idolatry. We might as well be quakers. Actually it should be natural for us to keep those biblical (mainly Old Testament, temple) forms. As Protestants, our protestation should not be a continual abandonment but a continual struggle for Reform and building upon what God has given the church in history.
The church today is still fighting old battles. Hopefully we wont throw the baby out with the bath water. Fortunately God is in control!

Mr. Wordy

One of my elders calls Matthew Henry "Mr. Wordy" - goog stuff, lots of words. Well, in one of his usual large piles of words Mr. Henry writes, "- “We hear what is said amiss, and see what is done amiss; but Christ looks at the root of bitterness in the heart, the blindness and hardness of that.” this comment stems from observation on Mark 3 and we see Jesus, with amazing clarity, getting to the heart of the matter. It is by the power of the spirit that believers don't dwell in bitter, blind, hardness of heart- although many can often spend time there we don't stay and that is because of what Jesus has done and because He has sent His Spirit.

The start

Having been here three full months now, I'm starting to get a general feel for the valley. I'm sure that a whole lifetime here would not be enough to really grasp the changing and fluctuating culture here. But, we feel as though we are starting to at least be familiar with Chandler and the area surrounding Desert Palms Church. Our desire is to see God move mightily here in this East Valley town. The Lord continues to bring people to us and to flesh out a really strong team of motivated individuals to reach Chandler and minister to this community in the name of Jesus. May His will be done and may His Kingdom come!