The following are quotes from the excellent book, He Speaks to Me Everywhere by Dr. Philip Graham Ryken, the pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
1. The basic principles of the Christian worldview includes the following (pages 14-15):
· Creation: God made the world and everything in it
· The Image of God: Me, women and children are made in the likeness of God
· Law: God has revealed one standard of righteousness for all people
· Sin: In our rebellion we have broken God’s law, and now the whole world is corrupted by sin
· Salvation: God is working to rescue His people and renew His creation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
· Providence: By the wise counsel of His will, God governs and sustains the world that He has made
· The Lordship of Christ: In all of life Jesus rules over the people He is working to save
· Final Judgment: The world will end when Jesus Christ returns to punish the wicked and take His people into everlasting joy
· The Glory of God: The goal of all things is for God to be praised
2. Common Grace (pages 15-16)
“One further principle of the Christian worldview deserves special mention: the doctrine of common grace. Theologians make a distinction between the grace God shows people in salvation (saving grace) and the grace He shows to humanity in general (common grace). God has not reserved all His gifts for Christians. Even the ungodly are graced by His goodness, for “the LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made” (Ps. 145:9 ESV). This is God’s common grace, common in the sense that it belongs to everyone as part of our common life in this world.
Common grace is not saving grace. In the words of the systematic theologian Louis Berkhof, it “does not pardon or purify human nature, and does not effect the salvation of sinners.” Nevertheless, there is something gracious about it, and thus it has a positive influence on the world. As Berkhof goes on to say, common grace “curbs the destructive power of sin, maintains in a measure the moral order of the universe, thus making an orderly life possible, distributes in varying degrees gifts and talents among men, promotes the development of science and art and showers untold blessings upon the children of men.” In other words, common grace includes every divine blessing short o salvation.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Old Slave Wanting to Read the Bible
As a student of the Abolitionist Movement and slavery throughout the world, I have enjoyed reading the excellent book, The Classic Slave Narratives, printed in 1987. Let me share the following from this book:
Old Slave Wanting to Read the Bible
From “The Classic Slave Narratives: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”-page 401-402
“I knew an old black man, whose piety and childlike trust in God were beautiful to witness. At fifty-three years old he joined the Baptist church. He had a most earnest desire to learn to read. He thought he should know how to serve God better if he could only read the Bible. He came to me, and begged me to teach him. He said he could not pay for me, for he had no money; but he would bring me nice fruit when the season for it came. I asked him if he didn’t know it was contrary to law; and that slaves were whipped and imprisoned for teaching each other to read. This brought the tears into his eyes. ‘Don’t be troubled, uncle Fred,’ said I. ‘I have no thoughts of refusing to teach you. I only told you of the law, that you might know the danger, and be on your guard.’ He thought he could plan to come three times a week without its being suspected. I selected a quiet nook, where no intruder was likely to penetrate, and there I taught him his A, B, C. Considering his age, his progress was astonishing. As soon as he could spell in two syllables he wanted to spell out words in the Bible. The happy smile that illuminated his face put joy into my heart. After spelling out a few words, he paused, and said, ‘Honey, it ‘pears when I can read dis good book I shall be nearer to God. White man is got all de sense. He can larn easy. It ain’t easy for ole black man like me. I only wants to read dis book, dat I may know how to live; den I hab no fear ’bout dying.’
I tried to encourage him by speaking of the rapid progress he had made. ‘Hab patience, child,’ he replied. ‘I larns slow.’
I had no need of patience. His gratitude, and the happiness I imparted, were more than a recompense for all my trouble.
At the end of six months he had read through the New Testament, and could find any text in it. One day, when he had recited unusually well, I said, ‘Uncle Fred, how do you manage to get your lessons so well?’
‘Lord bress you, chile,’ he replied. ‘You nebber gibs me a lesson dat I don’t pray to God to help me to understan’ what I spells and what I reads. And he does help me, chile. Bress his holy name!’
There are thousands, who, like good uncle Fred, are thirsting for the water of life; but the law forbids it, and the churches withhold it. They send the Bible to heathen abroad, and neglect the heathen at home. I am glad that missionaries go out to the dark corners of the earth; but I ask them not to overlook the dark corners at home. Talk to American slaveholders as you talk to savages in Africa. Tell them it was wrong to traffic in men. Tell them it is sinful to sell their own children, and atrocious to violate their own daughters. Tell them that all men are brethren, and that man has no right to shut out the light of knowledge from his brother. Tell them they are answerable to God for sealing up the Fountain of Life from souls that are thirsting for it.
There are men who would gladly undertake such missionary work as this; but, alas! Their number is small. They are hated by the south, and would be driven from its soil, or dragged to prison to die, as others have been before them. The field is ripe for the harvest, and awaits the reapers. Perhaps the great grandchildren of uncle Fred may have freely imparted to them the divine treasures, which he sought by stealth, at the risk of the prison and the scourge.
The Classic Slave Narratives
(page 401-402)
Edited and with an Introduction by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
A Mentor Book, New York: 1987
Old Slave Wanting to Read the Bible
From “The Classic Slave Narratives: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”-page 401-402
“I knew an old black man, whose piety and childlike trust in God were beautiful to witness. At fifty-three years old he joined the Baptist church. He had a most earnest desire to learn to read. He thought he should know how to serve God better if he could only read the Bible. He came to me, and begged me to teach him. He said he could not pay for me, for he had no money; but he would bring me nice fruit when the season for it came. I asked him if he didn’t know it was contrary to law; and that slaves were whipped and imprisoned for teaching each other to read. This brought the tears into his eyes. ‘Don’t be troubled, uncle Fred,’ said I. ‘I have no thoughts of refusing to teach you. I only told you of the law, that you might know the danger, and be on your guard.’ He thought he could plan to come three times a week without its being suspected. I selected a quiet nook, where no intruder was likely to penetrate, and there I taught him his A, B, C. Considering his age, his progress was astonishing. As soon as he could spell in two syllables he wanted to spell out words in the Bible. The happy smile that illuminated his face put joy into my heart. After spelling out a few words, he paused, and said, ‘Honey, it ‘pears when I can read dis good book I shall be nearer to God. White man is got all de sense. He can larn easy. It ain’t easy for ole black man like me. I only wants to read dis book, dat I may know how to live; den I hab no fear ’bout dying.’
I tried to encourage him by speaking of the rapid progress he had made. ‘Hab patience, child,’ he replied. ‘I larns slow.’
I had no need of patience. His gratitude, and the happiness I imparted, were more than a recompense for all my trouble.
At the end of six months he had read through the New Testament, and could find any text in it. One day, when he had recited unusually well, I said, ‘Uncle Fred, how do you manage to get your lessons so well?’
‘Lord bress you, chile,’ he replied. ‘You nebber gibs me a lesson dat I don’t pray to God to help me to understan’ what I spells and what I reads. And he does help me, chile. Bress his holy name!’
There are thousands, who, like good uncle Fred, are thirsting for the water of life; but the law forbids it, and the churches withhold it. They send the Bible to heathen abroad, and neglect the heathen at home. I am glad that missionaries go out to the dark corners of the earth; but I ask them not to overlook the dark corners at home. Talk to American slaveholders as you talk to savages in Africa. Tell them it was wrong to traffic in men. Tell them it is sinful to sell their own children, and atrocious to violate their own daughters. Tell them that all men are brethren, and that man has no right to shut out the light of knowledge from his brother. Tell them they are answerable to God for sealing up the Fountain of Life from souls that are thirsting for it.
There are men who would gladly undertake such missionary work as this; but, alas! Their number is small. They are hated by the south, and would be driven from its soil, or dragged to prison to die, as others have been before them. The field is ripe for the harvest, and awaits the reapers. Perhaps the great grandchildren of uncle Fred may have freely imparted to them the divine treasures, which he sought by stealth, at the risk of the prison and the scourge.
The Classic Slave Narratives
(page 401-402)
Edited and with an Introduction by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
A Mentor Book, New York: 1987
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Container, Visa, Mississippi, and the Philippines
Dear Friend,
We have been encouraged with the following from Psalms, “If the LORD had not been my help, My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I should say, ‘My foot has slipped,’ Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” (Psalm 94:17-19, NASB).
1.CONTAINER ARRIVES! Praise the Lord! The container filled with Bibles, books, relief and ministry supplies arrives safely in Uganda and has cleared customs with no huge extra charges! The 20’ container was filled and sent from Seattle last October.
2.VISA APPROVED! Nelson Reed (International Director) received his visa for short ministry visit with the ACTION India Team. Nelson leaves Seattle for India February 26 and then to the Philippines for ACTION’s International Council meetings scheduled March 10 to 14.
3.MISSISSIPPI BOUND! This weekend I speak several times at Audubon Drive Bible Church in Laurel, Mississippi. Pastor Jerry Marcellino will be speaking at one of our pastors’ conterences in the Philippines November 10. We may also be able to print his book on the family.
4.MOVING ON TO MANILA! Margaret and I are scheduled to leave for the Philippines Monday March 10 at 2:30 a.m. (any volunteers to take us to the airport?)! We arrive late for the International Council meetings, but this could not be avoided. Our good friends, Mike & Rebecca Watters will arrive March 2 from Manila (with plans to serve with ACTION in Africa) and will stay at our house and care for Dad Jespersen during the two months we are in the Philippines.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15, NASB)
Blessings on you, dear friend.
Sincerely in Christ,
Doug Nichols
We have been encouraged with the following from Psalms, “If the LORD had not been my help, My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I should say, ‘My foot has slipped,’ Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” (Psalm 94:17-19, NASB).
1.CONTAINER ARRIVES! Praise the Lord! The container filled with Bibles, books, relief and ministry supplies arrives safely in Uganda and has cleared customs with no huge extra charges! The 20’ container was filled and sent from Seattle last October.
2.VISA APPROVED! Nelson Reed (International Director) received his visa for short ministry visit with the ACTION India Team. Nelson leaves Seattle for India February 26 and then to the Philippines for ACTION’s International Council meetings scheduled March 10 to 14.
3.MISSISSIPPI BOUND! This weekend I speak several times at Audubon Drive Bible Church in Laurel, Mississippi. Pastor Jerry Marcellino will be speaking at one of our pastors’ conterences in the Philippines November 10. We may also be able to print his book on the family.
4.MOVING ON TO MANILA! Margaret and I are scheduled to leave for the Philippines Monday March 10 at 2:30 a.m. (any volunteers to take us to the airport?)! We arrive late for the International Council meetings, but this could not be avoided. Our good friends, Mike & Rebecca Watters will arrive March 2 from Manila (with plans to serve with ACTION in Africa) and will stay at our house and care for Dad Jespersen during the two months we are in the Philippines.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15, NASB)
Blessings on you, dear friend.
Sincerely in Christ,
Doug Nichols
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
So much to do, so little time, ability, money, and personnel
It is easy to talk about the impossibility of meeting the needs of the world. How can we possibly reach the 143 million orphans and 160 million street children of the world with the Gospel and compassionate care?
A great preacher Charles Spurgeon said over 100 years ago, “Don’t let the immensity of the task deter you, but let it drive you to do something about it for the glory of God!”
So, what should we do? Nothing? Something? It would be more comfortable to do nothing, but God will be glorified if we did something in His Name!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Two Scrolls of Blessings!
Recently I enjoyed reading again the life story of Margaret's parents Mom and Dad (Walter and Helen) Jespersen "Under His Wings" by Agnes Lawless.
Mom and Dad were married on Nov 17, 1942 in Chengtu, Szechwan, China. The day before Mom gave Dad a wedding present of two brown silk scrolls. A prayer of David from 1 Samuel 7:29 was printed in Chinese on each scroll in gold lettering.
On one, "Oh, Jehovah, now be pleased to bless your servant's family." On the other,"Oh, Jehovah, you have already given your blessing and will continue through eternity."
These two scrolls hang in our house today, a gift of blessing with God's Word given in China to Dad over 65 years ago!
Feel free to stop by and see the scrolls anytime and while here visit awhile with Dad (who will be 95 March 12) who is still "blessed and happy in God."
Doug Nichols
Mom and Dad were married on Nov 17, 1942 in Chengtu, Szechwan, China. The day before Mom gave Dad a wedding present of two brown silk scrolls. A prayer of David from 1 Samuel 7:29 was printed in Chinese on each scroll in gold lettering.
On one, "Oh, Jehovah, now be pleased to bless your servant's family." On the other,"Oh, Jehovah, you have already given your blessing and will continue through eternity."
These two scrolls hang in our house today, a gift of blessing with God's Word given in China to Dad over 65 years ago!
Feel free to stop by and see the scrolls anytime and while here visit awhile with Dad (who will be 95 March 12) who is still "blessed and happy in God."
Doug Nichols
Caring for the Little Ones
Breakpoint reported the following two years ago. Notice the number of orphans What would the number be now?
“The United Nations reports that some 143 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents. That’s roughly equal to the population of Russia. In 2003 alone, 16 million children were orphaned. Every fourteen seconds, a child loses a parent to AIDS. Genocide, war, famine: These are just a few of the reasons for so many orphans. And in the USA, more than 800,000 children pass through America’s foster care system each year. Some 120,000 of them could be adopted.” (www.breakpoint.org, November 14, 2006)
“The United Nations reports that some 143 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents. That’s roughly equal to the population of Russia. In 2003 alone, 16 million children were orphaned. Every fourteen seconds, a child loses a parent to AIDS. Genocide, war, famine: These are just a few of the reasons for so many orphans. And in the USA, more than 800,000 children pass through America’s foster care system each year. Some 120,000 of them could be adopted.” (www.breakpoint.org, November 14, 2006)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Questions to Ask a Missionary
When missionaries return from their fields of service, or a short-termer returns from three to six months of ministry, or summer workers return after two or three weeks of summer ministry, sometimes the only questions that people ask are, "Was it hot in the country?" and "What was the food like?" and nothing else. The conversation then switches to the recent ball game, the high price of gas, or the latest movies. This can be discouraging to a missionary or a short-term
worker.
The following are a few suggestions of simple questions to ask missionaries to get them talking about the work so that you can learn more about what God is doing in other parts of the world:
1. What did you most enjoy about your work?
2. Tell me something about the people of your country.
3. What was the economic situation of the people you ministered to?
4. What most encouraged you in your work?
5. Were many people responsive to the gospel or just a few? Why?
6. Describe an experience you had on the mission field that impacted the way
you do ministry.
7. Tell me about your devotional Bible study time schedule on the field. Was it
difficult to maintain?
8. What did you appreciate most about the culture you were living in?
9. Tell me about a special friendship you had with a national. Who was your
best friend?
10. What was security in the country like?
11. How were church services different or alike in your country of service?
12. Tell me about your church and worship in your country.
13. Were there times that you could specifically focus on children's needs?
Tell something about them.
14. What are some specific prayer requests you have for your country and mission
of service?
15. Tell me about raising your children in a different culture. Advantages? Disadvantages?
16. Were you able to purchase the books, supplies, and materials you needed for
your ministry in that country? How?
17. What was the greatest spiritual need you noticed in your ministry? Physical need?
18. How did you adapt to being in a different culture?
19. What has been your most noticeable spiritual change since you began ministry
as a missionary?
20. What is/was a typical day like for you? your family?
21. Tell me about your local church.
22. Who provides your pastoral care?
23. Please tell me of someone whose life was impacted with the gospel and the
change you saw in his life.
24. Were you able to share the gospel and disciple people freely in your country
of service?
25. Tell me about the missionaries you serve/served with. What are their
ministries and how are they doing? Are they encouraged?
26. What are some ministry needs and opportunities that need filling on your
team?
27. How is your support? If your personal support is good do you have any
projects that need funding?
28. How can I help you while you are here?
29. What was your biggest surprise about the country? The people? Yourself?
30. What could the church/friends/others do to help encourage you?
31. What was really important to you in your time there that you want us to know?
32. What did you learn from the indigenous Christians ....especially inthe area of faith, contentment, materialism?
33. What did God show you about being a servant?
34. How can I change my lifestyle to dedicate my life to the same values God has for the poor and disadvantages in the developing world?
These questions will not only encourage the missionary, but also help inform you of God's work worldwide for His glory. Please feel free to make copies of these questions to distribute to your family, friends and church.
They went out for the sake of His name . . . therefore, we ought to help such men, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth (3 John 7-8, NASB).
– Doug Nichols
worker.
The following are a few suggestions of simple questions to ask missionaries to get them talking about the work so that you can learn more about what God is doing in other parts of the world:
1. What did you most enjoy about your work?
2. Tell me something about the people of your country.
3. What was the economic situation of the people you ministered to?
4. What most encouraged you in your work?
5. Were many people responsive to the gospel or just a few? Why?
6. Describe an experience you had on the mission field that impacted the way
you do ministry.
7. Tell me about your devotional Bible study time schedule on the field. Was it
difficult to maintain?
8. What did you appreciate most about the culture you were living in?
9. Tell me about a special friendship you had with a national. Who was your
best friend?
10. What was security in the country like?
11. How were church services different or alike in your country of service?
12. Tell me about your church and worship in your country.
13. Were there times that you could specifically focus on children's needs?
Tell something about them.
14. What are some specific prayer requests you have for your country and mission
of service?
15. Tell me about raising your children in a different culture. Advantages? Disadvantages?
16. Were you able to purchase the books, supplies, and materials you needed for
your ministry in that country? How?
17. What was the greatest spiritual need you noticed in your ministry? Physical need?
18. How did you adapt to being in a different culture?
19. What has been your most noticeable spiritual change since you began ministry
as a missionary?
20. What is/was a typical day like for you? your family?
21. Tell me about your local church.
22. Who provides your pastoral care?
23. Please tell me of someone whose life was impacted with the gospel and the
change you saw in his life.
24. Were you able to share the gospel and disciple people freely in your country
of service?
25. Tell me about the missionaries you serve/served with. What are their
ministries and how are they doing? Are they encouraged?
26. What are some ministry needs and opportunities that need filling on your
team?
27. How is your support? If your personal support is good do you have any
projects that need funding?
28. How can I help you while you are here?
29. What was your biggest surprise about the country? The people? Yourself?
30. What could the church/friends/others do to help encourage you?
31. What was really important to you in your time there that you want us to know?
32. What did you learn from the indigenous Christians ....especially inthe area of faith, contentment, materialism?
33. What did God show you about being a servant?
34. How can I change my lifestyle to dedicate my life to the same values God has for the poor and disadvantages in the developing world?
These questions will not only encourage the missionary, but also help inform you of God's work worldwide for His glory. Please feel free to make copies of these questions to distribute to your family, friends and church.
They went out for the sake of His name . . . therefore, we ought to help such men, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth (3 John 7-8, NASB).
– Doug Nichols
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