Justification by Christ

“Wherever the knowledge of it [justification by faith] is taken away, the glory of Christ is extinguished, religion is abolished, the church is destroyed, and the hope of salvation utterly overthrown.” John Calvin

Every Story Whispers His Name

"I had always felt life first as a story: and if there is a story there is a story-teller." G K Chesterton

The Jesus Story Book Bible is the best children's Bible story book I have ever read. And as an MK and now parent & missionary, I have read many. Most, though, told the story, but didn't focus on Christ and His grace. Some were even moralistic. However, biblically and theologically, Christianity is Christ. "Every story in the scriptures whispers His name." Jesus! Yoshua! Yesu!

The writer Sally Lloyd-Jones comments, "The Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It's an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne- everything- to rescue the one he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!... You see, the best thing about this Story is- it's true."

I recommend it not only for kids, but also for adults, Sunday School teachers and even preachers. It will refresh your soul.

Danger: God

"Let's take one famous quality of suburban life: safety... Safe is good... Safety, though not a particularly Christian value, has become a characteristic of so much contemporary Christianity, especially as suburban life has become characteristic of American life."

Let this article in Christianity Today stretch you. Click!

Without it the church of God cannot exist for one hour

“This doctrine [justification by faith] is the head and the cornerstone. It alone begets, nourishes, builds, preserves, and defends the church of God; and without it the church of God cannot exist for one hour.” Martin Luther

Everything to do with the wave

"The difference between a solid church and a terrible church is pretty much up to you. The difference between a solid church and incredible success has almost nothing to do with you at all. It's like you are out there paddling on your surfboard, and suddenly the wave comes and you ride in, standing up like you're a Greek god. That has everything to do with the wave." 　Timothy Keller

Jesus Christ also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."

Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." Mark 4:26-32