GuineaField

The flaming sword that guarded Eden's path Has found its mark, the greatest Son of Seth. The fallen children's perfect Seed chose wrath To pluck eternal life for Adam’s race. By picking for Himself the tree of death He grants life’s one fulfilling fruit, God's face. I wrote the lines above reflecting on the following sermon by Robert Murray M’Cheyne on John 14:6.   “ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me’” (John 14:6). “As long as Adam walked holily, God dwelt in him, and walked in him, and communed with him; but when Adam fell, ‘God drove the man out of paradise; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.’   This flaming sword between the cherubim was a magnificent emblem of God, - the just and sin-hating God.   In the bush, He appear...

I'm encouraged by the progress of the organization and implementation of phase two of our LIFE Groups series at Grace.  After spending a couple years developing and teaching through material, we are very excited about the opportunity that our people now have to take others in the church through the first series of studies together as they work to "build up" the others in the body.  Personal discipleship is the responsibly of every believer.    We have just finished a mini-series encouraging this emphasis at Grace.  As Pastors, we pray for grace to "equip the saints for the work of ministry" namely, the building up Christ's body.  In the weeks to come we will be dividing into many different groups of three to four people to help build each other up in the faith.    Three sermons: God's Blueprint for Discipleship Part 1 (Ephesians 4:11-13) The Blueprint for Discipleship Part 2 (Ephesians 4:14-16) Biblical images of the church. Organ...

Well, it appears that spring is just around the corner. The ten day forecast is calling for nine of the next ten days above 40 degrees. That is a nice thought = ) Although I’m happy to see the snow go for a few months, I found myself enjoying even this last snowfall. What a quiet blanket snow is! It keeps people indoors. Traffic stops (almost). Quiet comes.  Almost a peaceful quiet.  A good snow fall blankets the whole community in a beautiful sugar colored clean. Its blanket makes even NYC’s dirtiest streets appear clean... for a bit. “But the mud returns, nastier than ever!” Yes I realize that. But for several moments after and during a good snow fall, everything appears clean. I’m so thankful that the Lord’s cleansing is deeper than that. Jesus’ blood does not just cover our sin it cleanses. The penalty for our sin that deserved God’s wrath is paid for by Jesus on the cross. He takes the wrath. Jesus paid the ultimate price. Not one ounce of guilt can s...