I Must Know Distinctly.... J.C. Ryle

"When I go down the valley of the shadow of death, and my feet touch the cold waters, I want something better than vague, high sounding words or the painted playthings and gilded trifles of man-made ceremonials. Give me no stone alters and would be confessors. Give me no surpliced priests or pretended sacrifice in my bedroom Put no man or form between me and Christ. Give me a real staff for my hand such as David had, and real meat and drink for my soul such as aged Paul felt within him, and feeling cried, "I am not ashamed" I must know distinctly whom I believe, what I believe, and why I believe, and in what manner I believe. Nothing, nothing will answer theses questions satisfactorily but thorough, downright evangelical religion. Let us make sure that this religion is our own."

Bishop J.C. Ryle

I Can't Wait For Summer...

Last week I successfully received my first (and last?) sunburn of 2013. This means it's officially summer!


Here's a live look at Isle Of Psalms. Only few miles from my office...

AnglicanYouthMinistry.com

Spent the better part of this evening working on a side project we're calling AnglicanYouthMinistry.com Hopefully it'll grow to be a resource to the Dio of the Carolinas and beyond. For now I'm happy with the progress. Feel free to jump on over and check it out.

As Of Late...

So I fully realize that the last few weeks of posting on this site have been quotes from the great preacher Charles Spurgeon. Not that they are fluff by any means but perhaps to say that life has cranked up and as I've been pondering some other ventures this site has turned into a repository of things that jump out at me.

Inspiration is a tricky thing in that often I find what inspires me is shared only by a small minority. I will say my hope is that this site once again returns to it's roots of being a place where I share the things which I've chewed on and have become part of my life.

As we change semesters in the youth ministry I lead I'm looking forward to a little more margin in life allowing me the opportunity to chew more and as a result post more. This however will not happen until at least mid to late May. C'est la vie.

Here, perhaps, is a taste of things to come....

• I've started reading Tim Keller's book on work. It really is fascinating and  has much to say about the disconnect between Sunday morning and the rest of the week. Look for more from that. 
• I've become very interested in secularism in youth ministry. What if we started seeing the soccer field as sacred as we see the sanctuary at church? P.s. pre 1500AD that was the norm. I'm sure there's more on this to come.

Faint Echoes of His Love...

"Come in, O strong and deep love of Jesus, like the sea at the flood in spring tides, cover all my powers, drown all my sins, wash out all my cares, lift up my earth-bound soul, and float it right up to my Lord's feet, and there let me lie, a poor broken shell, washed up by His love, having no virtue or value; and only venturing to whisper to Him that if He will put His ear to me, He will hear within my heart faint echoes of the vast waves of His own love which have brought me where it is my delight to lie, even at His feet for ever."

-C. Spurgeon

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Anvil breaks a host...

"The anvil breaks a host of hammers by quietly bearing their blows."

C. Spurgeon on Christ's silence during his trial.

They Fled...

From Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" speaking on the fleeing disciples as Jesus was arrested....

"They fled from their true safety. O God, let me not play the fool also. Divine grace can make the coward brave. The smoking flax can flame forth like fire on the altar when the Lord wills it. These very apostles who were timid as hares, grew to be bold as lions after the Spirit had descended upon them, and even so the Holy Spirit can make my recreant spirit brave to confess my Lord and witness for his truth."