By PastorJohn on
2/27/2009 9:51 AM
The following article appeared in our September 2000 Newsletter. It is part 3 of a 3-part series on the impossible work of evangelism. Click here to read part 1 and here to read part 2. Also,let it be known that my nephews Erik and Keith Andersen (ages 10 and 11 at the time) contributed quite a bit to this final installment.
STRANGER IN THE NIGHT
It was a dark and
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By PastorJohn on
2/26/2009 11:08 AM
The following article appeared in our August 2000 Newsletter. It is part 2 of a 3-part series on the impossible work of evangelism. Click here to read part 1.
THE MYSTERIOUS MR. X
I had been given my orders from Headquarters (HQ), and now it was time to go
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By PastorJohn on
2/25/2009 8:13 PM
For those of you interested in learning a lot more about church history, theology, biblical studies, missions, worship, leadership or other similar courses, check out Biblical Training on-line. This is an amazing website with free lectures from some of the top professors around the country. In their own words:
Biblical Training offers the finest in Christian evangelical teaching
to the world, for free, forever.
Training for transformation you can trust.
But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself.
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By PastorJohn on
2/25/2009 12:41 PM
This is the most important question we must answer in this life and in the life to come. Below are a few great resources to help us understand the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ and then explain this message to others.
Two Ways to Live
What is the Gospel? - by Mark Dever (Video)
The Gospel in 6 Minutes - by John Piper (Video)
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By PastorJohn on
2/25/2009 12:25 PM
NOTE: The following article appeared in our July 2000 Newsletter. A little Action-Packed fiction to help us reflect upon the great work of evangelism...Enjoy!
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
The sun beat heavily on my trim, yet muscular body glistening with odorless perspiration. "Now this is the life!" I thought to myself as I looked out from my rocky perch. "There's nothing quite as relaxing as free climbing the Grand Canyon!"
A bell rang out in the distance. . . or was it my cell phone? I reached down to take the incoming call when suddenly, in that brief moment of distraction, the ledge beneath me gave way. Before I realized what was happening, i was falling in midair with nothing but the Colorado
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By PastorJohn on
2/24/2009 4:25 PM
I just finished a great book on evangelism called Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman which basically calls us to use good questions to engage people in spiritual conversations. The beauty of questions is that they take the pressure off of you and help the person actually think through spiritual reality instead of politely ignoring your gospel presentation.
Another book that takes a similar approach is called Tactics by Gregory Koukl. I'm about half-way through this one and it's a pretty easy read and well-worth your time. The main tactic is called the "Columbo Tactic" which is modeled after Peter Falk's famous detective who would use strategic questions to confound and convict criminals. Two great questions to use when engaging someone who is opposed to your convictions are:
- What do you mean ...
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By PastorJohn on
2/23/2009 5:52 PM
Breaking News...Sean and Sara Graham have just become the proud parents of a baby boy, Ryan Nickerson Graham, weighing in at 9 pounds 11 ounces. Mom and baby are both doing well and heading home.
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By PastorJohn on
2/23/2009 4:14 PM
February is just about over, which means that those of us taking the "Book of the Month" challenge should just be finishing up The Pleasures of God by John Piper. So let the conversation begin!
As many of you know, I'm a big fan of Piper and I've read most of his books. While this was by no means his easiest to read, it has become my favorite. He has a gift for taking me out of myself and forcing me to give God my full attention. Given all the things to be anxious about today (failing economy, threats of terrorism, corruption in politics...), it was a transcendent encouragement to meditate upon the absolute greatness and perfect sovereignty of God...just to peek at his eternal happiness in Himself was all it took to lift my spirits.
Here is one quote from C.S. Lewis mentioned in chapter 2 that helped me put things in perspective:
"To be sovereign of the universe is no gr&
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By PastorJohn on
2/23/2009 1:09 PM
Just received this recommendation from Les Anderson on a place to read the bible on-line. It's called biblegateway. I'd also recommend the esv study bible website. If you have a copy of the ESV Study Bible (or know someone who does) you can use the study notes by entering a special code. Personally, I think this is the best study bible out there. If anyone else has any favorite bible sites, please mention them in the comments section.
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By PastorJohn on
2/23/2009 12:49 PM
In case you missed it, there was a recent article on our very own Ron Fuller in the Newburyport Daily News. You can also read about Dianne Cole's research on anti-slavery or Ruth Kerr and her "heart-felt" mission in the Amesbury News. (Click on their names to link to their stories.)
If you know of any others out there, please add them in the comment section.
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By PastorJohn on
2/23/2009 12:03 PM
Easter Sunday is seven weeks away and to help prepare ourselves for this great celebration, we will be having a special focus on corporate and personal prayer. After Jesus ascended into heaven, the early church devoted themselves to constant corporate prayer (Acts 1:14), and God answered and expanded His Kingdom on earth in response. This is our great privilege today that we can pray with the same kind of boldness and fervency. Toward that end, we have a 3-fold approach to this:
Private Prayer: in the bulletins on February 22 and March 1 and availble in the church office or by request are cards that contain the names of 10 families from our church. Please take this home and put it in your bible and pray for these families. Pray for…
- Increasing measures of faith to trust Christ and believe the Gospel in spite of circumstances and love for others (Ephesians 3:17-19; Philippians 1:9-11)&l
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By PastorJohn on
2/20/2009 4:23 AM
If you've spent anytime at all on the internet, you know what kind of filth is out there - stuff that wages war against your own soul. (1 Peter 2:11) But even amongst all the swine, there are quite a few pearls. Below are some of my all-time favorite websites and blogs that have blessed and encouraged me over the years. Check them out when you get a chance, and feel free to add your own favorites in the Comment section.
- www.theologica.blogspot.com - This is typically the first site I visit whenever I go on-line. Great running commentary and helpful links to the latest articles on the culture, church and faith.
- www.challies.com - My favorite place for book reviews. This was voted the best Christian blog.
- www.internetmonk.com - Very th
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By PastorJohn on
2/15/2009 12:17 PM
Welcome!
This is the first entry for our MSBC blog! Hope this site will be a blessing and our conversations encouraging. Check back regularly for updates on things happening, thoughts for the day and especially reflections on what I've been reading lately. To get us started, here is a list of the books I'll be working through during the year. Please feel free to comment! God bless you all!
BOOK OF THE MONTH (February 2009 – January 2010)
Below are listed the 12 books to be read over the next 12 months. These include brief descriptions taken from...
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