That Tongue!

Ø The tongue is difficult to tame.

Ø The tongue has disproportionate power.

Ø The tongue causes destruction.

Persecution for being a Christian

Persecution takes on many shapes and shades.  One of them is to be ridiculed and opposed by those closest to us.

Here are some of Paul’s purposes, wishes and hopes while he is suffering in jail as a result of preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. 

Why should you and I consider these?  So that we may grasp and take on board some aspects of what it means to stand firm in the faith and not to be frightened and run away when it’s our turn to undergo persecution for Christ.

1.   Paul knows that his sufferings will turn out for his deliverance.

2.   Paul enthusiastically expects and hopes that he will not be ashamed or embarrassed at all, but that he will be brave enough, courageous enough so that Christ will be exalted in his body, by life or by death.

3.   He believes and is optimistic that he will see results for his labour.

4.   His sufferings are with others in mind:  their progress and their joy in the faith.

 Philippians 1:18-26 

Cycling South of Loch Tay - a Photo-Post

We drove the few miles from Killin and found a non-passing-place to park alongside the minor road in the Central Highlands.  Autumn was only starting to get going.  Overcast - an improvement on rain.  Between Gordon and myself we unfolded the green monster and after a ensuring the wheels are free of rack and pannier bag, I took to the road.  Aaah that feeling of freedom, enveloped by forest, bracken and suddenly...open fields, long-horn sheep and the silver  Loch Tay.

Birds flit across the road as if it is all theirs and noisy streams under low stone bridges join the Loch.  The mossy dry-stone walls never lose their appeal.  Some field-borders have caved in which made me think of shifts in values.  At one stage I heard clackety-clack-clack!  The rams were locking horns and giving one another a good go - was to to win the ewe's heart.

Very pleasant cycling on the minor road with sharp uphills and sharp downhills.  When these come in quick succession it makes for really easyt pedaling.  Of course, in the case of an oncoming vehicle, the first step is to identify the nearest passing places.  Courtesy rules on these roads, well it did on this beautiful autumn Thursday!

This verse has been my song since friends recently discussed it together at Time Out, Charlotte Chapel.

1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Gordon helped me to assemble the bike and read much kindle as his foot is still in 

plaster after an ankle fusion.

A quick test-drive to make sure the wheels are pannier and rack-free - still adjusting to new steed.

Fab - the freedom o f the road through the forest!

Please feel free to enlarge any of the photos by the click of the mouse.

Ooops!

Typical Village

Loch Tay is 23 km long and the 6th biggest in Scotland.

Where the minor road runs along the Loch Tay.

Today the tall bracken is turning gold.

A Christian Pilgrim Mentality

Walk Like a Pilgrim - Chapter 52

Gordon and I started to read the kindle version of A Puritan Theology and are following the conversation between Dr Beeke and Tim Challies. I included the link at the end of this email.

The starting point of the online read, is Chapter 52.

The first topic is “Pilgrim Mentality”

One of our own conclusions was that we are not to view either our earthly life, nor our heavenly future in isolation.  But christian pilgrims are to be encouraged and motivated to live Christ-like lives of love on earth, motivated by our brilliant future with our Lord.

J.I. Packer wrote "…..readiness to die is the first step in knowing how to live.”

1. 
   

   ·      Christian pilgrims have reasons to be optimistic in hardships:  John Trapp said, “He that rides to be crowned, will not think much of a rainy day.”

   ·      Perkins said that a “pilgrim” is “always thinking of his homeland and sighing after it.” Christians must desire heaven (Heb. 11:16), and seek heaven (Col. 3:1).

   ·      Yes, like Paul we long (or ought to long!) to be with Christ. At the same time, while alive on earth, Christian pilgrims are spurred on to become more Christ-like, to be busy obeying the Great Commission and to love God and people in all our God-given roles. The very real prospect of heaven, gives us courage and joy in our earthly lives.

   ·      The Christian pilgrim does not live an isolated life. Neither is he or she naïvely banking on the world to be a help on our way to heaven.

   ·      A pilgrim mentality helps us to suffer well and die for God’s glory (Philippians 1:20). Mmmm how to do this got us going on a few thoughts.  The last verses on hymns also give clues.

   ·      A pilgrim does not pour his/her energy only into merely avoiding pain and death, not clinging to earthly things for dear life.

   ·      To suffer well, pilgrims need vision that penetrates beyond the horizons of our mortality. Perkins said that faith is like the tall mast of a ship which a sailor may climb and see land while it is still “afar off” (Heb. 11:13).

   ·     One of the gains of the Christian pilgrim-attitude, is unshakable optimism and hope in Christ. We can easily descend into despair when we forget this world is not the ultimate.

   ·      There’s sure victory for the Christian in Christ and this has to be seen with pilgrim-eyes and faith.  Christ has won the victory, He will bring in His kingdom, and all His called and chosen people will share in it (Rev. 17:14).

   ·      Ultimately, the pilgrim mentality is not about just a place but a person. Christians should see all their earthly lives as a journey to see the face of God. What a hope!!!

   Right here you will find a full version of the above notes.