Pastors Blog

"The Puritan preacher Thomas Chaimers, in his sermon The Expulsive Power of a New Affection, said that desires for God and desires for sin cannot coexist in the human heart. They are two opposing "affections"—one will always push out the other. So, he said, "the only way to dispossess [the heart] of an old affection, is by the explosive power of a new one" (see Gal. 5:16-17). You can't just…

“Pardon, peace, spiritual life—all of them are gifts, divine gifts, brought down from heaven by the Son of God, presented personally to each needy sinner by God.

They are not to be bought, but received; as men receive the sunshine, complete and sure and free. They are not to be earned or deserved by exertions or sufferings, or prayers or tears; but received at once as the purchase of the labors…

First, every time you feel hurt, offended or rejected, you have to dare to say to yourself: “These feelings, strong as they may be, are not telling me the truth about myself. The truth, even though I can not feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God’s eyes, called the Beloved from all eternity and held safe in an everlasting embrace.”

Second, keep…

Gospel repentance is tapping into the joy of our union with Christ in order to weaken our need to do anything contrary to God's heart - Tim Keller

What do you think of this quote and how do you tap into the Joy he speaks of?

I read this article written for city  Church planters, but it seems to me it has a broader application for a  larger audience.  Does it speak to you?
Pastor Doug ><>
Urban church planting will tear you apart!
09 Jun 2011 by Felipe Assis

Here’s something they didn’t tell you at assessment: Urban church planting will tear you apart! This year alone I had friends quit, sink into depression, addiction, and one that has completely ruined…