The Barnabas File

“And He Himself gave some to be… pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12

On a cold, winter January day, I learned that the pastor under who’s ministry the Lord brought me to Himself, had finished his course and entered into the glorious presence of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was approaching 95 years of age. Many years ago upon his arrival at my home church in a small Michigan town, he immediately called a missionary appointee to the Philippines to serve as an apprentice and he led me to Christ when I was 16 years old.

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In 1941, Katherine K. Davis penned the words and music to "Carol of the Drum," which, in 1958 was renamed "The Little Drummer Boy." This Harry Simeone Chorale version took the country by storm that Christmas, becoming the second most popular Christmas song, after "White Christmas," which was written in 1940.

As legend goes, the little drummer boy knows that he is poor and can give nothing more than his song, but he also believes that "It is fit to give to a King!" With Mary's permission and the support of the ox and lamb, who kept time, "He played his best!" Notice the words of the last two stanzas: [Read more…]

“I will sing a new song to You, O God; upon a harp, an instrument of ten strings, will I sing praises to You. “ Psalm 144:9

In reading some of the events of Christianity through the years, Psalm 144 is referenced on numerous occasions by those who have found comfort, strength and courage in facing the battles and challenges of life. For example, many going off to war have claimed verses 1-2: Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle — my loving-kindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in Whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. ”

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“Sufferings are but as little chips of the cross!” -Joseph Church

For years John Piper has held a conference at his church just for pastors. During that time he has regularly presented messages on the lives of great saints of the past. I have read several of them. I was quite interested in his treatment of Charles Simeon (1759-1836), Church of England minister who pastored the Church of the Holy Trinity in Cambridge, England for 54 years. This particular article grabbed my attention because at one time I owned the 21 volume set of Simeon’s Expository Sermons, but had not really read his biography. Upon discovering Piper’s article on Simeon I purchased his full biography by Handley Moule entitled, “Charles Simeon, Pastor of a Generation.” In the forward of this volume John Stott states, “We urgently need in the pulpits of the world a new generation of Simeons!” [Read more…]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. I Peter 5:8-9

Today we have a hidden enemy in Isis. Previous to Isis it was al-Qaeda. The invisible enemy’s trail leads centuries before to the enemy of all times, a character first named Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-14). Satan is a master at distractions. Always has been, always will be. Have we forgotten that as believers and the church that we live in a wilderness, not a garden; a battleground, not a playground; a spiritually darkened society, not a God-conscious environment? Someone has wisely said that the church’s first task is to keep being herself in an ever-changing world! [Read more…]