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This week in Christian History

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June 28, 195: Believed to be the date of the death of Irenaeus, early church leader, disciple of Polycarp and witness to his martyrdom. In his lifetime, this wise and steadfast disciple of Jesus Christ accomplished many things for the Kingdom including refuting heresy by referring to the direct teachings of Christ as given through John and Polycarp, evangelizing large areas of Gaul (modern-day France) and compiling many of the early writings of the Apostles and thus preserving them for inclusion in the Canon of the Scripture we have today.

https://www.christianhistoryinstitute.org/it-happened-today/6/28/

June 29, 67: Presumed date of the beheading of the Apostle Paul - https://www.christianhistoryinstitute.org/it-happened-today/6/29/

Face it with a grin - June 30,1637: "William Prynne, an outspoken and dogmatic Puritan is pilloried in company with Henry Burton and John Bastwick. Prynne's ears are cropped and he is branded with the letters "S.L.," standing for "Seditious Libeler." On his way back to prison, he writes some Latin verses claiming the S.L. stands for stigmata laudis (a pun meaning either "sign of praise," or "sign of Laud"—Archbishop William Laud is his main persecutor). (TodayinChristianHistory.com)

June 30,1974: "Mrs. Martin Luther King, Sr., and a church deacon were slain by a crazed gunman in Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, where her son, the assassinated civil rights leader, once preached." (StudyLight.org)

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/01/martin-luther-kings-mother-slain-in-church-1974

July 1, 1903: Baptism of the Indian warrior, Geronimo - http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1901-2000/baptism-of-indian-warrior-geronimo-11630673.html

July 2, 1752: The first English Bible published in America rolls off presses in Boston. (ChristianityToday.com)

July 3,1880: "Prussia declares that clergy are subordinate to the state." (TiCH.com)

July 4, 371: "Against his will, Martin is consecrated bishop of Tours. To escape the press of the world, he had founded the first monastery in France." (TiCH.com)

July 4, 1970: "American Presbyterian missionary Francis Schaeffer observed in a letter: 'If standards are raised which are not really scriptural,... it can only lead to sorrow. If we try to have a spirituality higher than the Bible sets forth, it will always turn out to belower.' " (SLo_Org)
 
Following a musical theme this week with a look at some hymns that were written over the centuries.


July 5, 1767: "Death of ministerial student Michael Bruce at twenty-one years of age. He had written the hymn "How Happy is the Child Who Hears" and other poems showing some talent but did not receive credit for them for a hundred years, his literary executor having passed them off as his own productions." (christianhistoryinstitute.org) The poem, later put to music, appears here:

O happy is the man who hears
Instruction's warning voice;
And who celestial Wisdom makes
his early, only choice.

For she has treasures greater far
than east or west unfold;
And her rewards more precious are
than all their stores of gold.

In her right hand she holds to view
a length of happy days;
Riches with splendid honours
are what her left displays.

She guides the young with innocence,
in pleasure's paths to tread,
A crown of glory she bestows
upon the hoary head.

According as her labours rise,
so her rewards increase;
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.

Scottish Psalter and Paraphrases, 1781

July 6, 1846: "Birth of John H. Sammis, American Presbyterian clergyman and author of the hymn, 'Trust and Obey.' " (StudyLight.org)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjWV_Kuxd2s

July 7,1851: "Birth of Charles A. Tindley, African-American Methodist preacher and songwriter. His most enduring gospel hymns include 'Stand By Me,' 'Nothing Between,' 'Leave It There' and 'By and By.' " (SLO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_005hD7rhHg

July 8, 1792: "Birth of Lowell Mason, Presbyterian pioneer of congregational singing. He composed over 1,000 hymn tunes, including BETHANY ('Nearer, My God, To Thee'), DENNIS ('Blest Be the Tie That Binds'), and HAMBURG ('When I Survey the Wondrous Cross')". (SLO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkx8WAycYAc

July 9, 1838: "Birth of Philip P. Bliss, American gospel singer and songwriter. His best-remembered hymns include 'Wonderful Words of Life,' 'It is Well with My Soul' and 'Let the Lower Lights Be Burning.' "(SLO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVh--AlfkH4

July 9, 1843: "Birth of Ralph E. Hudson, sacred composer and music publisher. His most enduring hymns include 'At the Cross' and 'Blessed Be the Name.' "(SLO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sn-TSrNlS8

July 11, 1713: "Death of Baptist hymnwriter Joseph Stennet who produced hymnals and wrote a few hymns that are still remembered, chiefly, "Another Six Day's Work Is Done." " (CHI.org)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvBeU1CcyNY

(Should have posted the last one this morning, I guess... :) )
 
July 12, 451: "Because of clashes between Christian factions, Roman Emperor Marcian issues a law against brawling in churches and against holding meetings in private houses or in the streets." (ChristianHistoryInstitute.com)


July 13, 1778: "Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: 'It is perhaps the highest triumph we can obtain over bigotry when we are able to bear with bigots themselves.' " (StudyLight.org)

July 14, 1614: "Death of Camillus de Lellis at Rome. After a wild life as a soldier, he underwent a conversion experience, served the sick, and founded the Agonizants, an order to care for the sick and minister to the dying." (CHI.com) Who knows how a changed life can affect a culture!

July 15, 1823 : "In Rome, the church known as St Paul's Outside the Walls was destroyed by a fire.Its original edifice was erected in AD 324 by the Roman emperor Constantine." (SLO) This building, which was said to have been constructed over the burial place of the Apostle Paul. had stood for 1435 years. However, it's rebuilding began almost immediately and it reopened 5 years later. The complete reconstruction took many more years.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Roma_San_Paolo_fuori_le_mura_BW_1.JPG

July 16,1814: "Baptism of twenty-seven-year old Cai Gao by missionary Robert Morrison at a remote spot in the hills along the shore of Macao. Cai Goa will go on to destroy his idols and to assist with Chinese publications before his death of lung disease less than three years later." (CHI.org)

July 17, 180: "Seven men and five women who had been captured carrying "the sacred books, and the letters of Paul" are tried before Roman proconsul Saturninus. Since none would renounce their Christian faith, all 12 were beheaded (see issue 27: Persecution in the Early Church)." (ChristianityToday.com, Persecution in the Early Church)

July 17, 1674: "Isaac Watts, author of about 600 hymns, is born in Southampton, England." (CT.com) In his younger days, Issac Watts complained about the dullness of the music in the churches of his day. So in response to his father's challenge to provide something better, Watts began to write hymns, and more hymns... below is a hymn which he wrote with a modern adaptation. I think Watts might have been impressed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOewYw3ejkM

Or this traditional sound -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-hN740J6qA

July 18, 64: "The Great Fire of Rome begins, and to direct suspicion away from himself, young Emperor Nero blames the city's Christians. A persecution followed in which Christians were (among other punishments) burned alive (see issue 27: Persecution in the Early Church)." (CT.com)
 
July 19, 1393: "Martin of Mayence is burned as a heretic at Cologne because he belongs to a sect known as "Friends of God" and refuses to observe the days and hours of prayer and worship commanded by the Church, regards all Christians as priests, maintains that outward works have no merit before God, and preaches that the Lord Jesus suffered more in bearing the judgment of God than in enduring the pain of the cross." (christianhistoryinstitute.org) - leaves one wondering if there ever was a time when the "church" didn't devour its own who dared to differ?

July 19, 1848: "More than 300 men and women assemble in the Wesleyan Chapel at Seneca Falls, New York, for the first formal convention to discuss "the social, civil and religious condition and the rights of women." The event has been called the birthplace of the women's rights movement." (christianitytoday.com) "...movement.", as in "the pendulum swings"?

July 20, 1593: "Henry IV of France renounces Protestantism and adopts Catholicism in the Church of St. Denis, Paris." (chi.org) Some by conviction, some by convenience? "How do I (love) mock thee? Let me count the ways..."

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1501-1600/henry-iv-renounced-protestant-faith-11630040.html

July 21, 1900: "Albert Schweitzer obtained his license to practice Theology" - an interesting read about a very ambitious man -

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/albert-schweitzer-licensed-in-theology-11630662.html

"If the Bible is true, its teachings must be put into practice. Although he was world famous as an organist and theologian, and was an expert on organ building--not to mention on the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach--Albert decided to become a medical missionary to Africa. His decision was made because of one of Christ's parables. Jesus told of a rich man who ignored a beggar named Lazarus that sat at his gate..." (Christianity.com)

July 22, 259: " Dionysius is elected bishop of Rome. His commentaries had won many to faith, and his labors helped restore a church decimated by severe persecution." (chi.org)

July 22,1620: "A small congregation of English Separatists, led by John Robinson, began their emigration to the New World. Today, this historic group of religious refugees has come to be known as the 'Pilgrims.' " (SLO)


July 22,1865: "Birth of Peter P. Bilhorn, sacred composer. He produced over 1,400 hymns in hislife, including 'I Will Sing the Wondrous Story' and 'Sweet Peace, The Gift of God's Love.' " (SLO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ktWqQH4dRc

July 23,75 (or 78): "Martyrdom of Apollinaris, bishop of Ravenna, said to have been a disciple of St. Peter." (chi.org)

July 23,1702: "The Camisards, French Protestants of Languedoc, break into open revolt when they hear a rumor that a priest at Pont de Montvert intends to execute some of his Camisard prisoners, whom he has held and tortured. They burn his house, kill him, and liberate the prisoners. This begins a savage war that leads to their extermination." (chi.org) "Sacred warfare", indeed...

http://www.britannica.com/topic/Camisard

July 24: Thomas A. Kempis honored this day by the Episcopalian Church. He was a beacon of light and virtue in a time of severe corruption in the Church -

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1201-1500/thomas-a-kempis-priest-monk-and-writer-11629887.html

July 25, 1587: "Japanese strong-man Hideyoshi bans Christianity in Japan and orders all foreign Christians to leave the country." (chi.org)

July 25,1741: "English revivalist George Whitefield wrote in a letter: 'Your extremity shall be God's opportunity.' "(SLO)
 
Why is this the church devouring it's on??

July 19, 1393: "Martin of Mayence is burned as a heretic at Cologne because he belongs to a sect known as "Friends of God" and refuses to observe the days and hours of prayer and worship commanded by the Church, regards all Christians as priests, maintains that outward works have no merit before God, and preaches that the Lord Jesus suffered more in bearing the judgment of God than in enduring the pain of the cross." (christianhistoryinstitute.org) - leaves one wondering if there ever was a time when the "church" didn't devour its own who dared to differ?


Yet this is sacred warfare??

July 23,1702: "The Camisards, French Protestants of Languedoc, break into open revolt when they hear a rumor that a priest at Pont de Montvert intends to execute some of his Camisard prisoners, whom he has held and tortured. They burn his house, kill him, and liberate the prisoners. This begins a savage war that leads to their extermination." (chi.org) "Sacred warfare", indeed...
 
TexasBred said:
Why is this the church devouring it's on??

July 19, 1393: "Martin of Mayence is burned as a heretic at Cologne because he belongs to a sect known as "Friends of God" and refuses to observe the days and hours of prayer and worship commanded by the Church, regards all Christians as priests, maintains that outward works have no merit before God, and preaches that the Lord Jesus suffered more in bearing the judgment of God than in enduring the pain of the cross." (christianhistoryinstitute.org) - leaves one wondering if there ever was a time when the "church" didn't devour its own who dared to differ?


Yet this is sacred warfare??

July 23,1702: "The Camisards, French Protestants of Languedoc, break into open revolt when they hear a rumor that a priest at Pont de Montvert intends to execute some of his Camisard prisoners, whom he has held and tortured. They burn his house, kill him, and liberate the prisoners. This begins a savage war that leads to their extermination." (chi.org) "Sacred warfare", indeed...
Click to expand...

Should have a "facetious" emoticon. It was called sacred warfare by others, not by me! I cannot see that Jesus would support his followers killing others. When the disciples wanted to call down fire from heaven on the Samaritans, Jesus said "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them."
 
August 2, 1946: "English literary scholar and Christian apologist C. S. Lewis wrote in a letter: 'Apologetic work (making an argument in defense of an idea) is so dangerous to one's faith. A doctrine never seems dimmer to me than when I have just successfully defended it.' " (StudyLight.org)

Lewis was not the first to have successfully defended the faith and then been plagued by doubts. This past week another such example came to mind as I thought about the Jewish prophet, Elijah. In a showdown between the God of Israel and the prophets of the false god, Baal, Elijah and a huge crowd of witnesses just seen fire fall from heaven and consume his water-logged sacrifice to the true God of Israel. He subsequently ordered the prophets of the idol, Baal, killed on the spot.

Even so, in spite of this amazing display of the power of God, Elijah ran for his life when he was threatened for his actions against the forces of evil, believing that he was the only one left who worshiped God in all of Israel. (1 Kings 18, 19)

Elijah, like Lewis and countless other worshipers of God, show that believers can be adversely affected by appearances and circumstances.

That is when God sends a message made for the situation just as He did for Elijah when He said,"I still have left in Israel seven thousand followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him." (1 Kings 19:18, NET)

Then hundreds of years later we see the example of a discouraged John the Baptist, the one who so powerfully announced the incarnation of Jesus the Savior to Israel and the nations. Even this great voice of truth had his time of doubt as he languished in prison for confronting the immoral lifestyle of Herod. (Think of the recriminations if John were alive today...)

He sent messengers to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3, NET)

Elijah, John the Baptist, C.S. Lewis - these are some very significant progenitors of the faith who sometimes struggled with doubt. Yet, because of their faith in the preserving power of God they could claim the prize of eternal life even though each of them - as we all will - eventually surrendered their lives to the grave.

No matter what our lot in life might be, we can be assured that Jesus will never abandon His followers, saving their souls even though our material existence is threatened or destroyed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSBvm73jhw4

August 3,1739: "English revivalist George Whitefield wrote in a letter: 'I am no friend to sinless perfection. I believe the existence (though not the dominion) of sin remains in the hearts of the greatest believers.' " (SLO)

August 4, 1792: "By order of revolutionaries, all houses of worship close in France." (ChristianHistory.net)

August 5, 1930: Birth of Neil Armstrong. While he is famous for being the first human to set foot on the moon, what is less publicized is his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (christiandiarist.com)

August 6, 1945: Little Boy is dropped over Hiroshima. See this for an example of the indiscriminate nature of war -
http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1901-2000/little-boy-obliterated-pastor-kiyoshis-family-11630784.html

August 7, 1954: Wang Ming-Dao preached his last sermon at the tabernacle on this day - http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1901-2000/what-wang-ming-dao-preached-before-his-arrest-11630806.html

August 8, 1471: "Thomas a Kempis, Dutch mystic and devotional author of The Imitation of Christ, dies at age 91. In his classic, Thomas wrote, "We must imitate Christ's life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our own hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ." (ChristianHistory.net)
 
August 9, 1765: "English founder of Methodism John Wesley wrote in a letter: 'You have but one Pattern; follow Him inwardly and outwardly. If other believers will go step for step with you, well; but if not, follow Him!'" (StudyLight.org)

August 10, 70: "Roman troops, sent by Emperor Vespasian to put down a Jewish rebellion, break through the walls of Jerusalem and destroy the temple. Some said that the event occurred on the same day of the year as the earlier destruction of Solomon's temple by Babylonians." (ChristianHistory.net)

For a fuller account of how this came about, read here - http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/2008/issue97/3.8.html?start=1
(There is some discrepancy in the date of the event.)

Is it coincidence that the destruction of the temple happened exactly as Jesus had prophesied not long before it occurred? "Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." " (Matthew 24:1,2, ESV) Indeed, when the temple was torched and burned down, the gold on the walls melted and ran into the cracks between the stones. Looters then pried the stones apart to recover every bit of gold...

After Jesus made this prophetic statement his disciples asked him when this would take place and for signs preceding it. After telling them that no man knows the dates, among much other disturbing news, Jesus told them the most important thing for them is that they must be very vigilant for the end and not allow any false teachers - and there would be many - to deceive them. This multi-layered prophesy of Jesus still holds meaning for us today and his followers will do well to take his warning seriously. Read the entire account of his words to his disciples here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024&version=ESV

It is important to remember that just as the destruction of the temple and other things unfolded exactly as he prophesied, so will the rest of the events that Jesus said would come to pass. "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Who is watching and ready for his coming?

August 11, 1527: "The Zurich town council agrees to suppress Anabaptists." (Christianhistoryinstitute.org)

August 12, 1952: "American missionary and martyr Jim Elliot wrote in his journal: 'I must come to be aware of Satan. He may never get me into hell, but he may cause God shame in defeating me. Preserve me from the lion, Lord. Let him not swallow me up.' " (Chi.org)

August 13, 1783: "Death of Tikhon of Zadonsk a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, notable for his spiritual writings that stressed love and forgiveness. "Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us." " (Chi.org)

August 14, 1248: "Construction of the Cologne Cathedral begins. Workers completed it on the same date in 1880." (Ch.n) Just as the disciples were impressed by the construction of the Temple, we remain impressed with the material today...

http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&l=en&id_site=292&gallery=1&&index=1

August 15, 1557: "Agnes Prest is burned to death at Southern Hay by Queen Mary's government because of her rejection of the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation." (Chi.org)
 
August 16, 1859: The birth of the Swedish pastor, Carl Boberg, who wrote the original poem "Oh Great God" which was then set to music and eventually translated by Stuart K. Hines into the very well-known hymn "How Great Thou Art".

Oh, Great God.

When I the world consider
Which Thou has made by Thine almighty Word
And how the webb of life Thy wisdom guideth
And all creation feedeth at Thy board.

Refrain:
Then doth my soul burst forth in song of praise
Oh, great God
Oh, great God.

The rest of the story is here - http://www.mannamusicinc.com/hgta.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GKhDCsLrUg

August 17, 1775: "Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: 'It is no great matter where we are, provided we see that the Lord has placed us there, and that He is with us.'" (StudyLight.org)

August 18, 1688: "John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress preaches his last sermon, in London" (see issue 11: John Bunyan). (ChristianHistory.net) Of all the books I read over the years, the message in Pilgrims' Progress has stayed with me better than perhaps any other.

It was a sermon describing the nature and effect of the new birth, making apt comparisons to the natural event of childbirth. You can read it here -
http://truthinheart.com/EarlyOberlinCD/CD/Bunyan/text/Bunyan.s.Last.Sermon.html

August 19,1662 : "Death of Blaise Pascal, French scientist and Christian apologist, famous for his apologetics and his argument that it makes more sense to wager on the existence of God than against him." (ChristianHistory.org)

August 20, 1527: " Diet of Odense allows Lutherans in Denmark." (CHO)

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1501-1600/danish-odense-diet-let-lutherans-preach-11629941.html

August 21,1732: "Count von Zinzendorf commends Leonard Dober and David Nitschmann to God as the first Moravian missionaries." (CHO)

August 22, 1433: " Paul Craw (Pavel Kravar) Bohemian Hussite is burned to death in Market Street before St. Andrews in Scotland, the first martyr so burned. A brass ball has been placed in his mouth so he cannot testify to the crowd." (CHO)
 
August 23, 1572: "Catherine de Medici sends her son, young King Charles IX of France, into a panic with threats of an imminent Huguenot (French Protestant) insurrection. Frenzied, he yelled, "Kill them all! Kill them all!" In response, Catholics in Paris butchered the Huguenots who had come to the city for a royal wedding. Between 5,000 and 10,000 Protestants died in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre." (ChristianHistory.net)

https://www.christianhistoryinstitute.org/it-happened-today/8/23/

August 24, 410: Alaric and the Goths sack Rome.

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/301-600/rome-fell-but-a-christian-classic-arose-11629692.html

August 25, 1732: "Missionaries Leonhard Dober and David Nitschmann receive the blessing of Bishop Zinzindorf as they leave for Copenhagen en route to their work in the Caribbean." (ChristianHistoryInstitute.org)

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/parting-blessings-for-moravians-11630216.html


August 26, 1956: "Swedish Christian statesman Dag Hammarskjald recorded in his devotional journal (Markings): 'Bless your uneasiness as a sign that there is still life in you.'" (StudyLight.org)

August 27, 1660: "Charles II, newly restored to the throne, orders the works of poet John Milton (who supported the Parliament) to be burned by royal decree. Milton though imprisoned for a short while, continues work on his masterpiece, Paradise Lost." (ChristianityToday.com)

August 28, 430: "As Vandals invade Roman North Africa and overwhelm Hippo refugees,Augustine dies of a fever. Miraculously, his writings, including City of God survived the Vandal takeover, and his theology became one of the main pillars on which the church of the next 1,000 years was built." (CT.com)

August 29, 29: "Since the fifth century, tradition has this as the date for the beheading of John the Baptist." (CT.com)

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1-300/john-the-baptist-beheaded-11629551.html
 
Back from holidays!

September 6, 1837: "Oberlin Collegiate Institute in Ohio granted equal status to men and women, the first American college to do so. This milestone for women was a direct result of Christian ideals..." (Christianity.com)

The true Christian faith lived out in practical terms and fully Biblical application has always resulted in improved conditions for the society it which it is rooted.

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/oberlin-recognized-womens-equality-11630445.html

Also from the article, this foundational truth: "Asa Mahan, a well-known holiness leader, was Oberlin's first president. Under his direction, the school taught that Christian conversion should be linked with a commitment to a changed society. Holiness should be the mark of every Christian, and this holy character should result in personal actions to reform society."

Where would Mahan get such an idea? Well, maybe from what Jesus said - "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:13, 14, NET)

What was the context for these words? To whom was Jesus speaking? He was speaking to a crowd of the curious who had gathered to hear him. The message he gave we now know as the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon Jesus described in clear detail how the lives of those who follow him will be different from the society which rejects him and his teaching.

His instructive words to the hearers addressed anger and murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation and love for enemies, to borrow the headings found in the NET passage linked below -

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205&version=NET

Today, many preachers give out a bastardized version of the meaning of grace and forgiveness, saying that since Jesus died for our sins, we are no longer accountable for our actions after we accept his sacrifice. Not according to Jesus ("Think not that I came to abolish the Law...") or to Asa Mahan who would have understood this passage to mean that discipleship makes a difference, first in the person and then in broader society. Because if there is no difference, what good is the Gospel message?

Jesus said that when those who are called his followers no longer make a difference, they are of no value and will be trampled underfoot by the rest of society!

What does it mean that the distinctions between the "churched" and the "unchurched" have pretty well eroded to nothing? When we see little difference in the matters of "anger and murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation and love for enemies"?

Since there is no longer much difference, should the church be surprised to find itself under increased attacks from a Godless society? That it feels the pain of being trampled underfoot by those who hate what we are to represent?

Oh well, maybe Jesus didn't mean those words for our day. Or did he? What does "Salt and Light" look like today?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNyUc-W1MwU
 
September 13,1845: "William Walford's hymn, "Sweet Hour of Prayer," first appeared in print in the "New York Observer." Walford (1772-1850), a blind lay preacher, had written the poem three years earlier in the village of Coleshill, England" (studylight.org)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNloFl4oIZc

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter's snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I'll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah's lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight.
This robe of flesh I'll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize,
And shout, while passing through the air,
"Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!"

Wow. I hit "replay"!

The words in this poem/hymn indicate that the writer knew something of troubles and the relief that comes from spending significant time in sharing those troubles the One who hears and sees all that we encounter. And the nature of the words would indicate that the writer was referring to personal prayer time, in contrast to corporate prayer as in a public meeting of believers.

There is no other place that we can go to that brings the kind of help that we can find by confiding in our heavenly Father.
 
September 20, 1947: "English apologist C.S. Lewis wrote in a letter: 'Those who suffer the same things from the same people for the same Person can scarcely not love each other.'" (Studylight.org)

September 20,1948: "American missionary Jim Elliot -- eight years before his martyrdom at the hands of the Auca Indians of Ecuador -- penned in his journal: 'I am Thine at terrible cost to Thyself. Now Thou must become mine -- as Thou didst not attend to the price, neither would I.'" (SLO)

These quotes from two believers who lived in the not-so-distant past underscore one fundamental truth - there is one Lord, one Savior, one blood shed for all who will accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Times change and cultures swing from one change or excess to another, but the Living Word remains constant, always sustaining those who believe in His name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIC_A0WNY1s

Perhaps one of the best "historical" and memorable statements given in this thread was this:

Shortgrass said:
May 3, 2015: Shortgrass encouraged by being reminded of God's greatness in the past, and further encouraged by the thought that He is by no means done working in the lives of sinful men.
Click to expand...

Reviewing history can be beneficial, but nothing speaks louder than a current testimony like Shortgrass gave with those few words!

After almost 5 years of posting here, I am taking a break from regularly making weekly posts. There may be an occasional submission - no concrete plans right now.

Thanks for reading.

John.
 
This story struck me as most remarkable -

Dec. 3, 1902: Birth of Mitsuo Fuchida, the pilot who flew the lead plane in Japan's air attack on Pearl Harbor (12/7/1941). Following WWII, through representatives of the Pocket Testament League, Fuchida was converted to Christianity in 1950.

Many interesting details in these links -

http://www.biblebelievers.com/fuchida1.html

http://www.stripes.com/news/pearl-harbor-pilot-became-evangelist-1.85934
 
Thank you for sharing this history! I've not availed myself of it often, thinking I can always go back to it 'when there is more time'.....forgetting time has to be made, not waited for.

What I've read has been of multiple value to me: inspirational, educational, faith enhancing, and especially a balm to the soul when listening to the music.

It will continue to bless us, as there is so much material here that going back through all the pages will be a real treat.

mrj
 
December 30, 1944, Corrie Ten Boom is mistakenly released from Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. Her summation of her experience in the prison camp was this: "You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have."

https://www.christianhistoryinstitute.org/it-happened-today/12/30/

To read a gripping account of her later encounter with one of her former prison guards, read here:

http://www.tlogical.net/bioboom.htm
 
March 6, 1919: "Death of Julia H. Johnston, 70, American Presbyterian Sunday School leader. She penned about 500 hymns during her lifetime, one of which is still sung today: "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" (a.k.a. "Marvelous Grace of our Loving Lord")." (StudyLight.org)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U9keN5e3DY
 
Sometimes the gifts left to us by others come from their deep suffering, as in the case of this beautiful classic hymn - "Oh, Love that will not let me go." The imagery painted in these words is incredible, and none more so than the last verse.

June 6, 1882: "On the day of his sister's marriage, blind parson George Matheson experiences deep mental suffering, and writes his beloved hymn, "O Love that wilt not let me go."" (Christianhistoryinstitute.org)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt69WDtYNLo
 

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