Pipes Output http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=AmZ3Al5t3RGlkyVfQBJ3AQ Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:36:06 +0000 http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/ http://opc.org/news.html?news_id=165 Dear fathers and brothers: http://opc.org/news.html?news_id=165 Mon, 07 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/news.html?news_id=164 http://opc.org/news.html?news_id=164 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/news.html?news_id=163 Registrations for the 79th General Assembly (GA), to be held on the campus of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, from June 6&ndash;12, 2012, may now be made on the secure GA registration website, located&nbsp;here. If you are planning to attend this year&#146;s GA, please visit this site as soon as possible. http://opc.org/news.html?news_id=163 Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/news.html?news_id=162 Several new titles are available as eBooks: http://opc.org/news.html?news_id=162 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/news.html?news_id=161 The 18th Annual OPC WomenPcs Retreat of the Presbytery of New York and New England is set for April 21-22, 2012. For the conference brochure, click&nbsp;here. The insert may be found here. http://opc.org/news.html?news_id=161 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/qa.html?question_id=487 I am a Calvinist, but my family is Arminian/Dispensationalist/Charismatic. Would it be wrong for me to occasionally attend a mid-week worship service with them? http://opc.org/qa.html?question_id=487 Sun, 27 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/qa.html?question_id=486 I have a question about "imputed righteousness." Someone pointed out to me that the Greek term Paul uses for "imputed" is better translated "reckoned." The Bible Lexicon Dictionary says: "This word deals with reality. If I reckon (logizomai) that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers more to fact than supposition or opinion." So if that is what the Greek term means, why is it wrong to interpret Romans 4:3,5 as something along the lines of "faith itself is reckoned as a righteous action"? http://opc.org/qa.html?question_id=486 Sun, 20 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/qa.html?question_id=485 I just read "Do not be deceived! Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9 NKJV). How could that be right, since the word homosexual wasn't even used by that time? http://opc.org/qa.html?question_id=485 Sun, 13 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/qa.html?question_id=484 Why was the Larger Catechism adopted with the deletion of the phrase "tolerating a false religion" in answer 109? The Bible seems to teach against tolerating false religion. I noticed the Free Church of Scotland has kept it in. Thanks for your help in understanding. http://opc.org/qa.html?question_id=484 Sun, 06 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=750 One of the blessings of the Reformation was the restoration of congregational singing. No longer would worship be the domain of the priest and the professional musician. In accordance with Scripture, worship was restored as the duty and privilege of all the people of God. In Christ, the people are a royal priesthood. http://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=750 Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=751 So, they found out you had a couple of years of piano lessons when you were a kid, and now youPcve been recruited to fill in at the piano or keyboard in an emergency. If you donPct, they say, the hymns will just have to be sung&#8212;gasp&#8212;a cappella. Well anyway, thatPcs what happened to me. Now, a few decades later, IPcve jotted down some helpful hints that IPcve learned the hard way. http://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=751 Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=752 Since 1961, congregations in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church have sung praise to God out of Trinity Hymnal (original and revised editions). Before Trinity Hymnal was issued, Orthodox Presbyterian congregations sang primarily out of the 1911 Presbyterian hymnal. http://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=752 Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=753 To: KellyTodd@linkmac.comFrom: JuneMcrea@ustel.com http://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=753 Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/devotional.html?devotion_id=2758 <b>Monthly Theme:</b> Peter's first epistle is addressed to "strangers in the world," who have their homeland in heaven. They are not surprised that they suffer when they do what is right. They follow the footprints of Jesus. <b>Bible Reading:</b> 1 Peter 1:1&ndash;2 <b>Bible Text:</b> To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bythinia (1 Pet. 1:1). <b>Devotional:</b> This month we read the first epistle of Peter. Originally Peter addressed this letter to Christians living throughout five regions in Asia minor, now called Turkey. Today we read Peter's letter as God's Word to us. Peter characterized these early Christians as "strangers in the world who were "scattered" throughout the region---or, in the words of another translation, "God's scattered people who lodge for a while in Pontus, Galatia," and so on. They were strangers in the country of their physical residence because their spiritual homeland was heaven. In order to identify with the people addressed in this letter, we too must consider ourselves "strangers in the world." Refugees and homeless people who read the first epistle of Peter have no trouble considering themselves strangers and exiles. But we who are well-established must also identify with this group. After all, Peter is addressing a spiritual condition, not a physical situation. We are strangers and exiles not because we live where we live but because we are what we are: the people of God! It's love for God that makes us homesick. We thank God for such goodness in the present life. Yet we experience enough adversity to remind us that we are pilgrims to a better country. http://opc.org/devotional.html?devotion_id=2758 Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/devotional.html?devotion_id=2757 <b>Monthly Theme:</b> These readings focus on the Holy Spirit. In the Old Covenant (or Testament), the Spirit "anoints" one person here and one there to perform a special work for God. In the New Covenant, the Spirit is "poured out" like rain on the whole church of Christ. <b>Bible Reading:</b> Ephesians 5: 15&ndash;20 <b>Bible Text:</b> Do not get drunk on wine.... Instead, be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). <b>Devotional:</b> People who become drunk on liquor are ruled by the power of the bottle. Likewise, people who are filled with the Holy Spirit are not their own boss. Yet the differences between being drunk and being Spirit-filled are greater than the similarities. The drunkard runs away from God, while the Spirit-filled Christian turns to God. The drunkard hates himself, while the Spirit-filled Christian finds herself. Liquor robs us of control, while the fruit of the Spirit is love and self-control. To be <i>filled</i> with the Spirit means more than to <i>have</i> the Spirit, just as to "have sorrow" is different than to "be full of sorrow." When we have sorrow, we experience some pain, but when we are full of sorrow, pain fills every moment and affects everything. All Christians have the Spirit. But when we are filled with the Spirit, all of our expressions are affected. "Be filled" is a command for all of us. A Spirit-filled life is not an exceptional thing for a few but a rule for all Christians. God says, "You already live by the Spirit of Christ; now I want you to be <i>filled</i> with that Holy Spirit." "Be filled" is passive, not active. It is not something we can do. God must do it. But we are responsible to seek that state of fullness. We will not be filled continuously. But we seek the fullness of the Spirit diligently. And, ultimately, we shall be filled. http://opc.org/devotional.html?devotion_id=2757 Thu, 31 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/devotional.html?devotion_id=2756 <b>Monthly Theme:</b> These readings focus on the Holy Spirit. In the Old Covenant (or Testament), the Spirit "anoints" one person here and one there to perform a special work for God. In the New Covenant, the Spirit is "poured out" like rain on the whole church of Christ. <b>Bible Reading:</b> Romans 8:26&ndash;27 <b>Bible Text:</b> The Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will (Rom. 8:27). <b>Devotional:</b> Lawyers today are much maligned. Yet their work, as originally understood, is noble&mdash;even divine. Their function is to advocate, to intercede, to speak on another's behalf. In today's text the Holy Spirit is said to intercede for the saints, to plead the case of God's children. And in Romans 8:34 Paul says Jesus also serves as an advocate. Sitting at the right hand of God, he is the lawyer for those he died to redeem. Jesus intercedes for us in heaven. And the Spirit intercedes for us on earth. The Spirit is in our hearts. Without him we don't pray at all. And when we pray, we need constant instruction or we merely stutter in the court of God. As individuals and as a church we don't even know our needs, let alone the glorious life to which we are entitled in Christ. That's why God gave us a Mediator. Because of this advocate's translation work, the sighs of God's children are audible in the throne room of our sovereign God. Intercession is a merciful and powerful work. Since the Spirit intercedes on our behalf, we should intercede for others. Intercession is the best and most loving thing we can do on behalf of our friends and relatives. We should especially pray for those who never pray. Intercede for the ignorant and dying. We pray not merely to get things from God but to get us to God and God to us. For God is all we need. "Of him and through him and unto him are all things." Even our own prayers. http://opc.org/devotional.html?devotion_id=2756 Wed, 30 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=382 Living by God's Promises, by Joel R. Beeke and James A. La Belle. Published by Reformation Heritage Books, 2010. Paperback, 192 pages, list price $15.00. Reviewed by OP member Scott Weirick. http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=382 Sun, 27 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=381 How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home, by Derek Thomas. Published by Reformation Trust Publishing, 2011. Hardback, 157 pages, list price $15.00. Reviewed by OP pastor Phil Proctor. http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=381 Sun, 20 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=380 The English Standard Version Single Column Legacy Bible. Published by Crossway Bibles, 2012. Various covers and prices, 1680 pages. Reviewed by OP pastor Larry E. Wilson. http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=380 Sun, 13 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=378 Redeeming Science: A God-Centered Approach, by Vern S. Poythress. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006, 381 pages, $20.00. Reviewed by OP minister Stephen A. Migotsky. http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=378 Sun, 06 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=377 Between the Times: The Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Transition, 1945--1990, by D. G. Hart. Published by the Committee for the Historian of the OPC, 2011. Hardback, 352 pages, list price $10.00. Reviewed by OP pastor Mark R. Brown. http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=377 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=376 Unseen Realities: Heaven, Hell, Angels and Demons, by R.&nbsp;C. Sproul. Published by Christian Focus, 2011. Paperback, 160 pages, list price $14.99. Reviewed by OP pastor Matthew Holst. http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=376 Sun, 22 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=375 Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, by David Platt. Published by Multnomah Books, 2010. Paperback, 240 pages, list price $14.99. Reviewed by OP pastor Greg Hoadley. http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=375 Sun, 15 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=374 Acts, by Derek W. H. Thomas. Published by P&R Publishing, 2011. Hardback, 784 pages, list price $39.99. Reviewed by OP pastor Arthur J. Fox. http://opc.org/review.html?review_id=374 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/feature.html?feature_id=153 Machen and Van Til http://opc.org/feature.html?feature_id=153 Fri, 25 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/feature.html?feature_id=151 When the website staff first began to talk about adding mobile functionality to OPC.org, one elder wasnPct too enthused--not really a need, as far as he was concerned. http://opc.org/feature.html?feature_id=151 Tue, 15 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/feature.html?feature_id=152 With the registration deadline fast approaching, I wanted to take the opportunity to urge our deacons, once again, to consider attending the OPC's Diaconal Summit II. We have almost 150 registrants and could accommodate about 100 more. However, we need to hear from you by May 15th, so that our hosts can have final numbers with which to plan for our arrival. We appreciate the sacrifice required by our churches to make this investment into our deacons. We are working to make it a worthwhile investment. http://opc.org/feature.html?feature_id=152 Wed, 02 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 http://opc.org/feature.html?feature_id=150 Although the language of rap music is always changing, one thing remains constant. It is "virtually indecipherable to those outside the rap world" (Tonya Pendleton, "Under Raps: Decoding the Hidden Meaning of Hip-Hop," Philadelphia Daily News, July 28, 1997, p. 37). For instance, if someone says that he is "crazy straight" and that he is speaking "word life," he is talking about making good money and claims to be telling the truth (interpretation provided by Pendleton). http://opc.org/feature.html?feature_id=150 Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000