kerux noemata

Here is an EXCELLENT blog to add to your reader....

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Good News for Toronto:

Read about our summer intern Paul McDonald's experiences evangelizing in Rexdale, downtown Toronto and Markham.

"I asked him, “have you ever lied?” He seemed stunned by the question, “What?” I asked him, “have you ever lied?” Apparently he had not. I ask him if he had ever stole. He spoke about his religious upbringing. At one point I asked him, “have you ever sinned? Have you ever done anything bad? Have you ever had to confess to a priest?” He was silent, but responded by shaking his head no. Then I asked him if he had ever committed adultery. At this point he went on to tell me of many television programs that he has access to. I think he meant that he can learn about religion from Catholic sources on television, and that I do not need to worry about informing him of religious things.

He keep reassuring me, “Don’t worry, it’s ok.” Throughout our talk he often said, “Come and go.” He used this phrase to speak of how life is to be lived – you just come and go, do this and that, be busy, help people, do good, don’t worry about thinking of serious things like death and the afterlife, just “come and go.” He is 87 and dead in his sins."

John Bell writes at challies.com concerning evangelism in the gay village

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:07:00 +0000

"I began this ministry two years ago while working as an intern in a downtown Toronto church. I was told that part of my internship duties would involve three hours of evangelism every week in a coffee shop or pub. This was not happy news. To be honest, I find this kind of evangelism very intimidating. “Cold call” is not my style; I’m too polite!"

Read the whole great story here!:

My Dad - Some refections from Pastor Ken Davis

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Read the entire article here...

"I said in a devotional the other day that fathers should do their devotions with their doors open so that their children could see them at it. This was what I grew up with. My father kept a study in our home where he prepared sermons and did his reading. I can remember as a young boy walking past that study and seeing my father on his knees praying. I remember him taking me to pre-service prayer meetings at the church he pastored in Sackville New Brunswick and hearing him pour out his heart to the God he loved. Years later I sat in a prayer meeting with him as a fellow pastor and marvelled at the sense of the presence of God in the room when that man prayed. He was conversing with Someone he knew deeply, personally, intimately. To see that 6′4″, 250 lb. frame, full of arthritis, creek down to its knees and talk to his Friend was a gift from the perfect Father to me so that I could see what grace can do in a man. My father was told by the leaders of his church once that he was not welcome any more as their pastor because he had said in a sermon: “Instead of sitting on your fannies you should be on your knees in prayer.” I am so glad that he said that, that he meant it, and that he was not making demands on his people that he was not making of himself."

Whatever Happened to John Hinckley Jr.?

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:04:00 +0000

Judge Gives Reagan Assailant Longer, More Frequent Visits:

"Wednesday, Jun 17, 2009 @09:24am CST

(Washington, DC) -- The man who shot and wounded President Ronald Reagan in 1981 will be allowed to visit his mother's home in Williamsburg, Virginia more often and stay there for longer periods of time.

That was the ruling announced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman yesterday.

Judge Friedman said the 53-year-old John Hinckley Jr. can obtain a Washington, DC driver's license and denied only a few requests.

Hinckley's stays at his mother's house will be extended from six to nine nights per visit.

Hinckley will also be able to work as a volunteer near the house.

Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the Reagan shooting and was ordered to become a patient at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in the nation's capital."

Christian Woman's Pregnancy hoax revealed

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:33:00 +0000

Pregnancy hoax revealed

A 26-year-old Christian who claimed on her Internet blog to be carrying a terminally ill baby has apologised after it was revealed her pregnancy was a hoax.

Beccah Beushausen of Mokena, Illinois, had almost a million hits on her blog when she began writing about her desire to give birth to “April Rose.” For two months she blogged about how she would go full term with the baby and refuse to get an abortion because of her Christian faith.

On June 7, she said she had given birth and was pictured with her “baby.” But her ruse was discovered when one of her readers recognised the “baby” as a doll.

Events like this one always make me thankful for the local church. I wonder how many readers of Beushausen's blog bothered to query her church concerning the verity of her situation and need? To be honest, this is the first I heard of this story, but in the age of instant attention via blogs and web pages, Christians would be very wise to operate through the authority structures God has ordained.

What of you? Ever met someone in great need and gone to their church/elders only to discover it was only a hoax, or at least greatly exaggerated?

Hypocrisy by Another Name?

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:58:00 +0000

Orthodox Jews launch 'kosher' search engine - Holy Post

Religiously devout Jews barred by rabbis from surfing the Internet may now “Koogle” it on a new “kosher” search engine, the site manager said on Sunday.
Yossi Altman said Koogle, a play on the names of a Jewish noodle pudding and the ubiquitous Google, appears to meet the standards of Orthodox rabbis, who restrict use of the Web to ensure followers avoid viewing sexually explicit material.
The site, at www.koogle.co.il, omits religiously objectionable material, such as most photographs of women which Orthodox rabbis view as immodest, Altman said.
Its links to Israeli news and shopping sites also filter out items most ultra-Orthodox Israelis are forbidden by rabbis to have in their homes, such a television sets.
“This is a kosher alternative for ultra-Orthodox Jews so that they may surf the Internet,” Altman said by telephone.
The site was developed in part at the encouragement of rabbis who sought a solution to the needs of ultra-Orthodox Jews to browse the Web particularly for vital services, he said.
Nothing can be posted on the Jewish Sabbath, when religious law bans all types of work and business, Altman said. “If you try to buy something on the Sabbath, it gets stuck and won’t let you.”

There is a corner of the human heart that will justify anything. Jewish Rabbi's are not the only ones guilty of this, but so much of modern orthodoxy bleeds this sad hypocrisy.

Do we really think we are fooling the One who sees every intention of the thoughts of the heart?

It's ID Day: New border rules in effect - The Globe and Mail

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:08:00 +0000

It's ID Day: New border rules in effect

Don't forget you need a passport now if you want to get in to the US.

Getting a passport in Canada is really quite easy... if you are a Canadian! We got the whole family done in a few hours total. You can download the application, then take it in to your local passport office so they check it over (saves them sending it back with a sticky note). The passports arrive by mail within 10 days or so.

This Looks Pretty Great! Redeeming the Realities of Marriage by Paul David Tripp

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:54:00 +0000

What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage by Paul David Tripp

Click on the link to get a video preview.

Hero Worship and Holy Emulation :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:11:00 +0000

Hero Worship and Holy Emulation :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library:

"Here is one small contribution. In spite of all the legitimate warnings against hero worship, I want to risk waving a flag for holy emulation—which includes realistic admiration. Hero worship means admiring someone for unholy reasons and seeing all he does as admirable (whether it’s sin or not). Holy emulation, on the other hand, sees evidences of God’s grace, and admires them for Christ’s sake, and wants to learn from them and grow in them."

I have been thinking about this issue for some time now and am thankful that Piper addressed it. What his post omits though, is a consideration of whether or not the very forms and forums these celebrity pastors are using might be one of the primary contributing factors to celebritiism?
Whitefield drew enormous crowds, but there was no glamour to it. Listening to him often meant hours of arduous travel and standing in the rain. I am amazed at the expectation level we often bring to conferences, videos, etc. Maybe I am mixing up the issues though.
At the very least, I think we need to carefully consider if we find more joy in being close to some celebrity or being close to our Lord.

Another Reason to Use Pre-natal Screening Very Carefully

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:02:00 +0000

Remembering… « Beautiful Work

Make sure you read to the end of this article!

TPC 2009 in the Books

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:29:00 +0000

By God’s grace, the Toronto Pastors Conference is now complete. Time will provide a more accurate assessment, but it sure seems as though the Lord was at work and doing good things. The teaching was full and practical, there was much heart-felt worship in song and the mutual encouragement of brother pastors seemed grow as the days increased.
Thanks for praying for us. I am off to meet my family again.
If you want to listen to main sessions you can download that audio for free off gfcto.com. And I think there will be video available soon.

Amazing Conference in Toronto Underway!

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:58:00 +0000

Man, the Toronto Pastors Conference is off to a wonderful start! And every indication is that it is only going to get better.
If you are a pastor in the GTA and you are not here, then you need to get yourself down to Richview Baptist Church tomorrow. And if you would really like to hear some great preaching, then join us tomorrow night. The 7PM session is free and open to the public. Dr. Mark Dever will be preaching.

T-Minus 2

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:29:00 +0000

You’ve got until Monday!

If you are planning on coming to the Toronto Pastors Conference on June 1,2,3, then don’t forget to register by Monday. That’s when we close off registrations.

In fact, here it is, a lovely Saturday, where you have lots of free time… why not take the 2 minutes to register now!

Calvin on Why it is Okay to Remedy Sickness (Sometimes)

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:10:00 +0000

Calvin takes a moment in his commentary on John 18:11 (“...shall I not drink the cup that Father has given me?”) to remark on the appropriateness of seeking medicinal help to our physical afflictions. It seems to me the same principle applies in some measure to how we handle persecution, especially of the physically abusive sort.

“...fanatics should not be heeded, who assert that we must not seek remedies for sicknesses or any other kinds of affliction, lest we reject the cup which God holds out. We know that we must die once and we must be prepared for death. But because the time of our death is unknown to us, the Lord allows us to defend our life by the aids which He Himself has appointed. Diseases must be patiently borne, however grievous they be to our flesh; but while they are not yet certainly fatal we should seek alleviation of them. Only we must be careful not to attempt anything but what God’s Word permits. In short, provided it remains always fixed in our hearts that the Lord’s will be done, we are not failing to drink the cup which He has given us, even when we seek deliverance from the evils which press upon us.”

Evangelizing Children (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:46:00 +0000

Evangelizing Children (Part 1)

The Shepherd's Fellowship blog has a great article detailing how we ought to evangelize our children.

The process of evangelizing one’s children, however, can be a daunting task. For many parents, the questions are as practical as they are disconcerting: How should I present the gospel to my children? What’s the best approach to take? How do I know if I’m doing it right?

Pitfalls, both real and imagined, intimidate virtually every parent who contemplates this responsibility. On one hand, there’s the danger of leading children to think they are saved when they are not. On the other, there’s the risk of discouraging children who express a genuine desire to follow Christ.

How, then, should we evangelize our children?

The elders of Grace Community Church began to answer this question by noting what child evangelism should NOT be... that list includes

1. Oversimplifying the Gospel of Christ

2. Coercing a Profession of Faith

3. Assuming the Reality of Regeneration

4. Assuring the Child of Salvation

5. Rushing the Ordinance of Baptism

Everyone should read the whole article since the application extends beyond our own families into the life of the church and our evangelism of adults.

Toronto Pastors Conference (June 1,2,3) - Registration About To CLOSE!

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:11:00 +0000

There are only a few more days left to register for this year’s Toronto Pastors Conference! Registration CLOSES on May 25… and space may fill up before then. I guess I am not the only one who tends to register for things last minute!

Anyway, you would be wise to drop what you are doing and get yourself registered right now! No guarantees we will have a spot for you on Monday. And it is going to be, Lord willing, an excellent time.

Nancy Gall on the appalling lack of coverage given Canada's March for Life

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Nancy Gall: March for Life coverage conspicuously absent - Holy Post

Let me get this straight: 5,000 Tamils block a few lanes of Toronto traffic and it’s all over the news. Heck, a mere 50 Tamils demonstrate in front of the American Consulate in Calgary and we hear about it.

But when 12,000 people showed up Thursday on Parliament Hill to demonstrate their support for life from conception to natural death -- something that affects us all -- it’s not worth a picture? Twenty seconds of airtime? A paragraph at the bottom of Page J20?

You’ve got to wonder how many people have to show up before the annual March for Life is deemed coverage-worthy by the mainstream media.

36 Hours in Toronto - NYTimes.com

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:09:00 +0000

36 Hours in Toronto - NYTimes.com

The NYT did a little profile of my city. I learned some things...

AS one of the planet’s most diverse cities, Toronto is oddly clean and orderly. Sidewalks are spotless, trolleys run like clockwork, and the locals are polite almost to a fault. That’s not to say that Torontonians are dull. Far from it. With a population that is now half foreign-born — fueled by growing numbers of East Indians, Chinese and Sri Lankans — the lakeside city offers a kaleidoscope of world cultures. Sing karaoke in a Vietnamese bar, sip espresso in Little Italy and catch a new Bollywood release, all in one night. The art and design scenes are thriving, too, and not just on the bedazzled red carpets of the Toronto International Film Festival, held every September. Industrial zones have been reborn into gallery districts, and dark alleys now lead to designer studios, giving Canada’s financial capital an almost disheveled mien.

51% identify as 'pro-life' in U.S. - Los Angeles Times

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Sat, 16 May 2009 18:10:00 +0000

51% identify as 'pro-life' in U.S. - Los Angeles Times:

"For the first time since it began asking the question in 1995, Gallup reported Friday, a majority of adults questioned for its annual survey on values and beliefs -- 51% -- said that when it comes to abortion, they consider themselves 'pro-life'; 42% consider themselves 'pro-choice.' (The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.)"

Mohler on the Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:25:00 +0000

The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory:

"Jesus Christ calls his ministers from the ranks of the incompetent, so that He will show his singular competence through them. He uses earthen vessels to demonstrate his own life in us. He confounds the wisdom of the wise by using the unworthy to demonstrate his worth."

And... We Have a Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Julian and I are pleased to announce the winner to our FREE REGISTRATION contest for the Toronto Pastors Conference. First, you can read his winning entry!

Years ago, the leaders of the church of which I was a member were fasting (I do not remember what the issue was that had caused the fast to be called). At a meeting of the church a set of scales was placed on the platform and the leaders took their turns being weighed to see who had lost the most weight and was therefore “best faster.” Each weigh-in was accompanied by appropriate boos or cheers depending on the result. Didn’t Jesus say something about how we should fast? (Matthew 6:16-18)

Yikes!

Thanks to all of you submitted entries. It was quite remarkable to read them.

As our winner, Ken Davis receives a full registration to the conference and the thrill of knowing that he experienced the strangest church business meeting known to man.

Carey Registration Open and Contest About to Close!

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Sun, 10 May 2009 02:47:00 +0000

Great news! The Carey Family Conference has opened their online registration site. It takes less than 3 minutes and you are in like Flynn!

Also, don't forget to send me your stories of strange things from church business meetings. We have some doozies already, but no sure winner yet. Winners will be announced on Monday if I can get to a computer.

FREE REGISTRATION for the Toronto Pastors Conference!!

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:51:00 +0000

We are just a few weeks away from the Toronto Pastors Conference and thought it might be fun to give away a free registration. This contest is open to everyone, even those already registered (we will reimburse you if you win).

All you need to do is send me an email (the[dot]kerux[at]gmail[dot]com) or leave a comment describing the strangest thing you have seen or heard in a church business meeting. (No names permitted and do your best to protect the "innocent.")

My best story is the one about the two deacons who decided to “take it outside” and finish their argument in blows on the front porch of the church! (This did not happen at Grace Fellowship Church!!)

Tell us your story and whichever one Julian and I think is best we will reward with a free registration to the TPC featuring Mark Dever and Matt Schmucker. You have until Sunday night!

Mine that Bird - The Remarkable Finish of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Winner

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:21:00 +0000

I don't bet on horse races by conviction. But I love a good race, and I love it when the underdog wins. To say that this year's Kentucky Derby was a good race with a dramatic finish is remarkable understatement.
I watched the race the day after and tried like crazy to find a way to use it as an illustration in my Sunday sermon... but it just did not fit anywhere.
So, here is the clip. It is worth watching to the end. What a story!

My Sister is Featured in the Toronto Star for Martin's Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (kerux) — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:49:00 +0000

TheStar.com | GTA | Flower shop still here a blooming century later!

Okay, I like to brag. My big sister is featured in today's Toronto Star in an article highlighting the 110 years of "our" family business. You can read all about the place I spent every Saturday and every Christmas and every Mother's Day and every Valentine's Day... etc.

That little shop on Dundas St W has been used of the Lord in some pretty remarkable ways over the years. Some day I think I will blog about that. For now, read about my sis!

- Proud Little Brother