Paterson
@shawnpaterson
Mere Christian: Reformed. Husband to Tara. Father of Ryle, Jane Grey, & Abel. Associate Pastor at King’s Cross Church.
"Into a general knowledge of the objects and progress of modern missions I was initiated from my early youth by my late revered father, whose catholic spirit rejoiced in tracing the triumph of the gospel in different lands." —Alexander Duff
What you need to imagine is the fruit you are hoping to see—by faith—one or two decades from now: Your grown children gathered with the church on this same sacred day, faithfully worshiping the God of their fathers, with their own little ones at their side.
We keep our kids in worship because they belong in the assembly—as Christians, as disciples, and as heirs. Sunday mornings are hard work, but the goal is generational: children who grow to worship with joy and reverence, and one day lead their own little ones in praise.
“Sin confessing, sin forsaking, Christ’s righteousness embracing, The soul is free.”
"For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." That's a good word.
When God’s people pray and evangelize “the more of Jesus shall advance, his kingdom arise, and the crown flourish upon his head.” —John Sutcliff
"It is more humbling for us to take what grace offers, than to bewail our wants and worthlessness." —Andrew Bonar
R.M. M’Cheyne, Andrew Bonar, and other students set aside 1–2 hours each week to reach needy and neglected neighborhoods. “‘No man careth for our souls’ is written over every forehead.”
The last day will prove that some of the holiest men that ever lived are hardly known.
“I have no wish that anyone should write or say anything about me; let my memorial sleep with my body in the dust and at the last great day all the good or evil which belongs to my character will be fully known. My great concern is to be found in Christ.” —William Carey
"Is it possible for a person to be conceited of his miseries? May there not be a deep leaven of pride in telling how desolate and how unfeeling we are? in brooding over our unearthly pains?" —Robert Murray M'Cheyne
Fill their faces with shame, that they may see Your name, O Lord.
This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work (1 Tim. 3:1). Pastors need to be encouraging and shepherding the right men into the work of ministry.
Jerome took up learning Hebrew to fight temptation. “In my youth when the desert walled me in with its solitude I was still unable to endure the promptings of sin and the natural heat of my blood; and, although I tried by frequent fasts to break the force of both, my mind still…
You can go anywhere in public and just read the Bible to people.
Preachers need to preach the extremes. (HT: Rob Rayburn) When preaching free grace, make it as radically free as you can make it. Make grace amazing, astonishing, marvelous. Pour on the love and mercy. Give them comfort and consolation. Give them peace and assurance. When…
"His whole life he accounted a warfare, wherein Christ was his captain, his arms, prayers and tears. The cross his banner and his motto 'Vincit qui patitur' [he who suffers conquers]." —John Geree, The Character of an Old English Puritane or Noncomformist (1646)