John MacArthur On The 2024 Election, Don Green About Trusting God, & Things God Is Doing Through Trials (Bryan Murphy)

 It's been some time since I posted, but I decided there are some things I especially wanted to share on here. One of them will have to be added later, as it isn't currently online yet that I can see.  So, check back later for another message about trials given by Bryan Murphy.

Q & A with John MacArthur 

John MacArthur did a Q & A with Nathan Busenitz last Sunday night.  There was a lot of things I found of interest.  Israel and the election and new books, etc.  The part about the U.S. elections this year is about 39 minutes into it.  It is up on the GTY site HERE.  You can watch the video version HERE.

Trusting God in Changing Times

Also, at Grace Community Church in GraceLife, Don Green gave a message about how to trust God.  His focus was directing us toward God.  I highly recommend it.  You can find it HERE.

Things God Does Through Trials

The TMS chapel on October 22, 2024 had a good message about things that God is doing when He brings us through trials. Bryan Murphy's family has been having quite a bit of trials recently. 

The Goodness of God in Trials by Bryan Murphy

A Story About an Orphan & A Castle in Dover

 When I was young, I used to read a book called Crispin's Castle by Kathleen M. Duncan.  Since we still have it, I read it again even though it is supposed to be for kids.  I still found it to be very interesting. 

It's about a boy who was an orphan who was being sent to boarding schools by a lady who didn't spend a lot of time with him.  "Crispin" goes to stay with some relatives of the lady for a time, and that family has just moved to Dover (Kent, England, U.K.).  There is a castle nearby that "Crispin" admires.  So, I looked up a castle in Dover and found a video where you can not only watch the video about the castle which tells some of its history, but you can also scroll around for different angles to viewing it and its surroundings.  It seems to fit the description of the castle in the book.  The boy has one thing that was found on him when he was discovered that had some letters/initials on it, and so those initials along with an interesting new elderly neighbor lead to a discovery about his identity.

Comfort in Christ & Flower Photos to Enjoy

 Comfort in Christ

It's been a really long time since I've posted it seems, but I'm still alive.  

Life is difficult both with family health troubles ongoing (including my own issues) and what is going on in the U.S. and around the world (and my sympathy toward others).   I know others have been having a lot of hardships.

 Last night, I heard a message that Don Green gave which was encouraging for Christians going through trials.  God brings all of His children through trials or chastening.  We can't avoid them, but God is with us through them.  Side note:  Poor Don Green was sick while preaching, so I'm sure it made him even more sympathetic to the subject.

OUR COMFORT IN CHRIST - Don Green (Truth Community Church)

Photos to Enjoy

I was going to share some flower pictures in the past here and put it off, so some of these are belated.

The tulips are gone and some of the azaleas, etc., but the blue hydrangeas are currently in bloom.

A Message on Suffering, Free Streaming Session for Pastors & Elders, & Audio LSB

 Are you suffering illness or trials in your life?  

We generally want to escape suffering and pain and difficulty, but God may be using it to turn you to Him.

Don Green gave a message on January 16, 2024, that I recommend for you and those you want to share it with.  It's called, "What If Suffering Is a Gift?"

Free streaming session for newer elders and pastors on February 9, 2024, at 6 AM Pacific (9 AM Eastern and 2 PM GMT)!

Don Green is planning to share things that weren't taught to him in pastoral ministries classes. The streaming should be on the church site HERE (and you can see alternative sites to stream from on that page as well).

An audio version of the Legacy Standard Bible:

If you like the LSB translation and would like to listen to someone else's reading, it is available HERE.

Grace Community Church Christmas Concert, Christmas Music, and a Song of Christian Encouragement

Grace Community Church Concert & Christmas Music MP3 Album

Grace Community Church in Southern California has Christmas concerts every year, and this year they are scheduled to stream the one on December 17th.  I look forward to watching the stream online each year.  

The time it is scheduled for is: 6 PM Pacific / 8 PM Central / 9 PM Eastern (U.S.) / 2 AM on the 18th GMT.  Don't miss it!  Look for the choice of Livestream links on the Concert Page Here.

I also discovered a Christmas album on the church's site called A Church Notes Christmas that has a few Christmas songs available.   

Music to Encourage Christians in Troubling Times

The following music has lyrics, so you may be able to sing along!

A Timely Message on Israel by John MacArthur, Natalie's Story, Psalms of Grace MP3 Files, & Christmas Carols

God Will Keep His Promises to Israel - Don't Miss This!

There was a timely message John MacArthur gave on November 19th of this year that Christians should listen to.   God's keeping His promises to Israel in the future should encourage all believers.  It's on the GTY website:  In God We Trust (sermon by John MacArthur).

Natalie's Story

I have been following the story of Natalie (a child) for quite some time, and God has used what could have seemed tragic for His purposes.  It's amazing to be reminded again about how God made the body in a wonderful way.  Watch Here.

Free Psalms of Grace MP3 Files (available at the time of this post)

I saw that these files are still free which are good for those who want to use them.  There are also ones available in Spanish!  You can find them HERE. 

Celebrating the Incarnation with Music

I often have shared music on here around Christmas, and here are some carols with violin and guitar for you to listen to.

Don't Look Away

 What Hamas did in Israel on October 7, 2023, was horrific.  I did not watch everything, but I saw some still photos that were gruesome.  I've read and heard accounts.  I know it happened.  Deniers are liars...just like those who deny the Holocaust of Hitler's time.  Some recently have said things like, "Do not look away."   I understand, as some want to deny the truth.... deny reality.... pretend like there is a good excuse.  They are deluded and blind to the truth.

I was thinking today about how I feel sometimes when I read the account of the crucifixion in the Gospels.  I feel like I don't want to read that part even though I should want to.  I don't like to think of the suffering and humiliation and the injustice.  Yet I know that what Christ suffered...physically and also the wrath of God (which he willingly suffered for others as He was sinless) ...well, that was the only way that my sins could be properly atoned for.  He was my substitute.  

So, while I can't see the physical blood of Christ, or know the depth of His suffering of the wrath of God against my sins and the sins of all who would ever believe, it is necessary to remember and to see the reality with the spiritual eyes He has given me.

Have you seen Christ on the cross in that way?  Have you seen the depth of your sins?  Turn to Christ.  Read His Word, and don't look away from the cross.  Look to Jesus.  Only in Him is forgiveness and eternal life. 

The Bible