The Lamp

My son, Yuri, and I are doing regular reading from Bob Schultz “Boyhood and Beyond: Practical Wisdom for Becoming a Man” as part of his homeschooling. There are a lot of insights from that book about real “practical wisdom” that are worth reading, re-reading and applying in daily life. This morning we came to that chapter on coveting or greed that really struck me as we read it. I would like to share some of Bob’s thoughts here. I hope it will help you fight against this idolatry which is very “rampant” among us and which we should "put away" and replace it with the precious word of God (James 1:21).

“When man covets, he is unable to enjoy the presence of God. Foremost in his mind is the item he wants. He dreams about it. He schemes about how to get it. He becomes so full of his desire that his heart has no room to experience God's presence. The man has lost his trust in God to supply his need ["according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19)]. …

(this is based on an email message by Dr. Rowland Ward in one of those discussion groups, which I forgot)

Montgomery Boice's little work - "Standing on The Rock" (Tyndale). Not only is it written in layman's terms, it also does a fine job of discussing problems with scientific (so-called) evidences, and has a great section on the Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy, and the Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics. It's 157 pages, paperback and an excellent resource all around.

He includes a very quick and cogent section he calls "ten principles of proper Bible interpretation." I cover these with my congregation at least once a year. Perhaps Boss Stamper will forgive the length in consideration of the fine help it is. They are worth repeating here.

1 - The Principle of Unity. Since the Bible has one author, namely, God, the parts of the Bible must go together to form one overall story and present one consistent theology. If they do not seem to do…

July 9, 2011

Dear friends and prayer partners,

Thank you for all your prayers and assistance to our members and attenders who were hit by the flash flood on the night of June 28, 2011. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. For sure that means a lot already for the families who are trying to recover from their loss and the trauma caused by the flood.

We took turns in going to the flooded place to bring food and help in any way. Cathy also did some shopping for their immediate needs. The members gave some gifts and relief stuff – cash, clothing, kitchen wares, etc.

Our deacon and I went to their place again Sunday afternoon (July 3) after church to bring some stuff – mats, blankets, pillows, towels, mosquito nets, etc. – which they said they need. They told us that some of them were sleeping on towels the previous nights. Hopefully with some financial assistance you're going to send we could buy some mattress and extra blankets to keep them warm in the coming days.

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