Preaching is something I have been doing since I was sixteen years old. After forty-four years I’m still studying the art and science of this sacred craft. I hope to be inspired so as to inspire. I continually strive to shake off the crushing weight of criticism that serves no purpose but to vent the resistant spirit of those unable to look beyond my style and hear from the Lord. Yet I press on, week after week, because the challenge and responsibility also brings the reward, the contentment that doing what I am called and gifted to do is of the highest kind of satisfaction.

So in the attempt to do it better, I am now reading a new book by Simon Vibert, Excellence In Preaching: Studying the Craft of Leading Preachers, Inter Varsity Press 2011. Here are the first lessons learned:

1. The best preachers make you strive for Christ – likeness and value the great things that God is doing in His church.
2. The great preachers connect hearers with God, inspiring, encouraging and motivating them to authentic Christian living, and enabling them to live with a sense that through the preaching they have indeed met with the living Lord.
3. Excellent preaching must be Biblical, Christ-centred and Gospel in content.
4. Five key ingredients to excellent preaching:

• Powerful (God at work)
• Relational (between preacher and people)
• It is a summons (an urgent call to repentance and faith)
• It is truth (propositional and persuasive)
• It is contemporary (alive and applied)

I depend on the Holy Spirit to guide people into truth, to convict and to inspire through the preaching. My responsibility is to be studious, faithful, careful, confident and creative. I read in the New Testament that excellent preaching will stir some to reject and some to embrace, some to run to Christ and some to run away. It is anything but ordinary work – never boring. And I have so much more to learn!

Part #4 Three survival techniques when someone really hurts you.

Rev. D. Johns           Jan. 30//12

Thankfully I have not had to face persecution or physical pain like so many less fortunate than me. Current struggles around the world, and similar stories from history, reveal so much brutality – some of it beyond comprehension. Inhumanity numbs me, scares me. I am afraid of pain. Sure I have had people betray me, undercut my leadership, spread lies about me (yes, this is a reality even in churches) – but I have not faced war or torture.  Richard Wurmbrand spent 14 years in a communist prison. During that time he says the guards often wondered how the Christians could be happy in such terrible circumstances. Hunger and torture were daily realities. And the prisoners, likely emulating the Philippian prison posture of Paul and Silas (Acts 16), would often sing – only to be beaten even more fiercely. Here are three of Wurmbrand’s personal survival solutions.

1. He meditated on Job. He says “I knew the end of the story!” God would restore, replenish, rebuild and reward. More than what was lost would eventually be replaced. In the middle of the trial I know it is difficult to believe this, but that is where faith comes into play. We will be stronger when it is all over.
2. He envisioned the final destination of a Christian believer. A picture of a splendidly crowned saint in the holy and glorious presence of a raised and glorified Jesus was his motivation to never lose hope.
3.  “In the jailers who whipped us we saw the possibilities of the jailer of Philippi, who though first whipping Paul, eventually became a Christian convert. We dreamed that our brutal guards would ask the same question posed to Paul and Silas: what shall I do to be saved? It was in being tortured by them that we learned to love them”

I slept for less than two hours and then I couldn’t get back to sleep. I can usually sleep anywhere anytime! I have always wondered about those people who, within three seconds of waking up in the night, piously report that they pray, or read their Bible. That is not usually me. My habit, on those rare occasions, is to get going on some unfinished work or writing. Today I promised I would start first with a brief daily devotional from C. H. Spurgeon’s Evening by Evening. It led me to a phrase in Isaiah 58. In minutes I was consumed with the entire chapter. Here are a few of the lessons learned. by the way, is there such a thing as “God inspired insomnia”? Good chapter for a new year don’t you think?

Isaiah 58:11 = The Lord will guide you always. Not sometimes, not now and then, but continually. Moses said that without the Lord’s presence we might as well stay where we are! Exodus 33:14,15 = The Lord replied: My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest … Then Moses said, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”  The Lord’s presence in the future implies that we have experienced it now. The next adventure launches out of today’s experience with God. Hebrews 13:5 = I will never leave you nor forsake you. C. H. Spurgeon = If you have to change your position in life; if you have to emigrate to distant shores; if you are cast into poverty or suddenly promoted to a more responsible position; if you are thrown among strangers or cast among foes, do not fear for the Lord shall guide you continually, a perpetual leader.”  Strength and satisfaction and success come with God’s presence (Isaiah 58:11, 12). Your stability tomorrow begins with your spirituality today. (all of Isaiah 58)

Why I Want to be Like an Olive Tree

Yvonne Johns  Oct 2011

I was reading Psalm 52 when something jumped out at me.  The first 4 verses describe the wicked who ‘love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking truth.’  Verses 5-7 tell what happens to the wicked ones and then verses 8 & 9 talk about the Godly person.  It was verse 8 that caught my attention.  ‘I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.’  What is so good about an olive tree that the psalmist compared himself to one?  I needed to do a little research and here is what I came up with.

Olive trees were grown in Biblical times and the olives used as food.  They are very nutritious and good for you.  The oil was used in their lamps to give light, not only in their homes but in the temple as well and to anoint their kings and priests.  The leaves of the olive tree were a symbol of abundance, wisdom, purity and peace.  When Noah sent the dove out from the ark, she brought back an olive leaf and Noah knew there was enough dry land for them to leave the ark.

The tree itself is still considered sacred in Greece.  Each one is owned by someone and rarely are they cut down.  An olive tree provides income to the owner and, as they are precious they are well taken care of to ensure that they keep producing well.   Each tree can live to be 1000 years old, (they get gnarled and bent as they get older) up to 6 m around but not usually very tall.  (Those are some ways I really don’t want to be like an olive tree!)  The leaves stay green all year so give welcome shade and the tree continues to be productive and useful all its life if it is properly pruned and cared for.  They like hot weather, like to live near the water, are hardy and drought and fire resistant because of their very hard wood.

Doug and I were in Greece recently and were fortunate enough to visit Olympia where the Olympic games originated.  There were olive groves all around with their beautiful, silvery green leaves.  Each tree grows differently and has its own unique character.  They still use olive oil to light the original Olympic flame which is then taken to Athens to start the modern games.  The Olympic flame is the symbol of the nations coming together peacefully to enjoy healthy competition.  (Well, that is the intent.)  We saw the stadium where 40,000 people would gather to watch the games, where the olive oil was used to anoint the athletes and the leaves from nearby trees made the victory crowns.  It was such a thrill to be right there where it all started.   It has been tradition in our family since our children were little that we would watch the games together.  They are still carrying on that tradition with their own children.

Back in Katakolon, I found a little shop that held everything you could possibly think of made of olive wood.  There were beautiful plates, salad bowls, candle holders, picture frames, decorative boxes and jewellery and so much more.  I learned that the darker the grain is, the older the tree is, that the pattern of the grain tells where on the tree the wood was found, that they only use pruned branches to make these items and since the wood is so hard it is perfect for kitchen items such as cutting boards.  To keep the wooden items looking new, just wipe it with olive oil.  That got me thinking and I did some more research.

Here are 10 Things to Do With Olive Oil
1.     Wash your face
2.    Revitalize wood furniture with 2 parts olive oil to 1 lemon juice on a soft cloth.  Keeps wood from  drying out and hides nicks and scratches
3.    Massage a small amount into scalp to fight flakes and dry skin
4.    Soothe sunburn after the first couple of days to prevent peeling
5.    Remove makeup
6.    Unstick a zipper – only 1 drop needed
7.    Prevent hairballs by giving your cat ¼ – ½ teaspoon  Keeps coat shiny too
8.    Shine your hair by massaging in a few drops.  Leave for 1 hour, then shampoo
9.    Moisturize dry feet after bath or shower and put on socks to help absorb
10.  Moisturize and exfoliate skin with a scrub made up of sugar, enough oil to make a paste and 1 drop of essential oil for soothing scent.  Massage into dry skin in shower or bath.


Who knew you benefit so much from the little olive tree?  I can see how the psalmist  thought it was good to be an olive tree in God’s house.  We belong to Him and He takes care of us to make sure we are being productive.  Each of us has a unique purpose.  Sometimes He prunes us but it is for our good and His.  He watches over us because we are precious to Him and He loves us so much.  I want to serve Him all my life and I want my life to be a brightly shining lamp showing the way to His kingdom.  The last part of verse 8 says, ‘I will trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.  I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.  I will wait for your mercies in the presence of your people.’

Doug bought me an olive wood bracelet to remind me of all that I’ve learned about the olive tree.  Each piece is different from the others just as we are but the bracelet is a circle and each piece is joined to the others.  One piece or even two by themselves would be pretty but would not be a bracelet.  When we are working together with other believers, then He can make us into something beautiful and useful for Him.  We are all part of one body, His world-wide family of Christians through the ages.  I’m so glad to be part of this family with you! 


 Yvonne Johns  Oct 2011

Be inspired!

Where are you going today? “Lead me God, in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:24

Ecclesiastes 10:9 = Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. No matter what your occupation, trouble, testing & trial can bring you down. Be careful today!

Matthew 6:33 = Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given unto you. C.H. Spurgeon = Just as a traveler turns from his empty canteen and runs to the well, turning away from the hives of earth, where we find no honey but many sharp stings, we rejoice in Him whose faithful word is sweeter than honey.

In Romania, Nazism persecuted Protestants as well as Jews. His son Mihai had to be given a non-Jewish name to prevent his death. As great as the Nazi terror was, it was only a taste of what was to come under the communists later. Wurmbrand says that there was value in the Nazi oppression though – “they taught us that physical beatings could be endured, that the human spirit with God’s help can survive horrible tortures. They taught us the technique of secret Christian work …”

“I longed from the day of my conversion to be able to witness to the Russians. In Nazi times we had in Romania many thousands of Russian war prisoners …and then, beginning on August 23 1944, one million Russian troops entered Romania … beginning a nightmare which made suffering under Nazi times seem easy.”

1. Life experience now is preparation for what will come next, so learn the lessons well!  “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand.”  (Deuteronomy 5:15)  “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself”. (Exodus 19:4) The struggles of yesterday make me stronger today because I hear those shouts of victory from behind. And the enemy ahead of me  will not be able to stand up to the voice of today, when tomorrow I hear it shout  its victory as yesterday.
2. Look for the good that can come, even in times of suffering. Opportunity waits around each corner.  “I want you to know that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. It has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” (Philippians 1:12-14)

Richard Wurmbrand, leader of the “Underground Church” in 20^th Century Communist Europe, is  well known, and not just to his own Romanian people. His life of Christian faith is an encouragement to all who are persecuted, to all who go through trials and tribulations of every kind. We can learn much from his book, Tortured For Christ,  1967, Hayfield Publishing company.

Born a Jew, but a confirmed atheist by age 14, Richard Wurmbrand was still attracted to churches. He writes:

“I found it hard to pass near a church and not to enter it. However I never understood what was happening in these churches ….. I was very sure that there is no God ….. but I would have liked very much to know that a loving heart existed somewhere in the centre of this universe ….. I had longed that there should be somewhere a loving heart beating for me too.”

1. How cool would it be that our churches possess an irresistible magnetism, even for atheists! If we could just get to that place where something in our speech or behaviour would attract and not repel. In one church I pastored, at a congregational meeting, an excellent leader, recently new to the fellowship, stood up and said “With all of you fighting like this, I don’t want to be around here anymore.”
2. Never assume that what we do in our churches – our rituals, our liturgy, our language – is making sense to our guests. What we take for granted can be as confusing as a Latin Mass. Do not use outdated, denominationally distinctive vocabulary. Design with the newcomer in mind. Explain. Keep it simple.
3. Is there anything more basic than the need to know that we are loved? This means that our churches must be places of grace. May our love for others be our badge, our nametag. “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16) must be said about the people of God as well.

The struggle to reconcile these two theological extremes has challenged theologians through the centuries. My library contains books that reflect the opposite ends of the spectrum, and books that suggest possible common ground. I have just three very simple observations, one confession and one image to share.

First, while I love to research, reason and debate, I know that such activity can become an excuse to ignore the work of the church and possibly evolve into a cause of disunity in the Body of Christ. At the very least it can become a distraction to Kingdom living.

Second, the Scriptures appear to hold both viewpoints in simultaneous tension. The Bible seems to paint a picture of a tangled weave of God at work amidst the aspirations, rebellion and obedience of humans.

Third, some will be disappointed and angered that I do not have the courage to take a stand one way or another. Others will seize the opportunity to convince me of the real truth.

Here is the confession: when among Calvinists I like to expressively flaunt my free will. When in the company of the group that thinks they control the universe, I like to exhibit patient pious trust as I wait for God’s will to be revealed. Now if lunch is involved, then I will put all my theological eggs in the basket of the one who is paying. Is there such a thing as a theological chameleon? I am not talking hypocrisy here, just adaptability. And please, a little less arrogance.

Now the image. Some think a two sided coin. Some embrace a parallel universe model. I prefer the railroad track with rails that eventually come together. My perspective this side of eternity does not allow for a monorail theology. It takes both rails to stay on track. In the distance, the space between the two becomes insignificant.

I have chosen two Psalms to reflect on over the next two Sundays. To my simple mind, they show me the two rails of this track. Less chance of a train wreck if we stick to both.

ON TRACK

Rev. D. Johns

Part #1 Getting on track with God      What will God do?

November 13, 2011

Psalm 139

Notes part #1 Psalm 139 (key verses  1,10,23,24)

In the midst of my confusion, running, hiding, shame and suffering ……. God will      SEARCH ME       HOLD ME      LEAD ME

C.H. Spurgeon says about this Psalm: “it sings the omniscience and omnipresence of God with brightness like unto a sapphire stone. It casts a light even to the uttermost parts of the sea, and warns us against that practical atheism which ignores the presence of God and shipwrecks the soul.”

ON TRACK

Rev. D. Johns

Part #2   Staying on track with God    What should I do?

November 20, 2011

Psalm 37

Notes

I should not

• Fret (mentioned 3 times! verses 1,7,8)
• Envy (verse 1)
• Get angry (verse 8 )

I should

• Trust (mentioned twice: verses 3,5)
• Dwell (verse 3)
• Delight (verse 4)
• Commit (verse 5)
• Be still (verse 7
• Wait patiently (verse 7)
• Hope (verse 9)

C.H. Spurgeon says these directives offer the combination to holy and happy living.

What will you do with an extra hour this weekend? This is no small, insignificant question! Who has not dreamed of more time? Who has never complained “I don’t have enough time!”? This is your opportunity! Make your list – or choose from mine:

* watch an extra TV show

* party longer

* catch an extra hour of sleep

* write the outline of that novel you have been contemplating

* phone or skype your family

* pick up that book gathering dust

* roll those bothersome coins that clutter every flat space in your house

* exercise

* eat

* plan a vacation

* learn a new language (well, that may be a little optimistic)

* read some blogs – better yet, start your own!

* catch up on work (ever wonder who has to pick up the extra hour? how much overtime has to be paid this weekend?)

* sort the recycling

* get out the winter clothes, shovels (or choose the earlier option of planning that warm winter vacation)

* take a long hot bath

* eat a snack (oh, did I mention that already?)

* go to church!!!!!!!!! (and ask the preacher to speak an extra hour!)

* make a list of what you will leave undone next Spring when the clocks move ahead

* make a list of what you will do with your extra hour this time next year, seeing as you have now pretty well used up this year’s extra hour!

Seriously, and sadly though, some will choose to worry – a rather silly option when you think about what Jesus says in Matthew chapter 6:

• Do not worry about your life
• Do not worry about tomorrow
• Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Is it just a fluke that Martin Luther chose this day to do something which would alter the course of the Christian Church? John Piper thinks not. http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/trick-or-treat-its-martin-luther