October 28th, 2009 by drpuritan
Don’t forget: German food; Reformation Polka; prayer for the gospel’s triumph in our day; fellowship; did I mention German food? This Saturday, October 31, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the Bailey home (call 352.255.2116 for directions and more details). The Reformation Baptist Church family and friends will have a great time exalting Christ and enjoying each other’s company.
October 24th, 2009 by drpuritan
The Gators have underwhelmed most observers this year (though I confess, I am still impressed with a perfect start, no matter how ugly). Against their old offensive coordinator Dan Mullen, they have an opportunity to shine. Will they? We’ll see. I heard those two words A LOT as a kid, and my children hear them a lot as well — “we’ll see.” “Can we go to the beach today?” “WE’LL SEE.” “Can I get a new iPod?” “WE’LL SEE.” I believe RBC is at a “WE’LL SEE” moment in our nearly 10 year history. We have always been committed to sound doctrine and God-centered worship and biblical witness, but we have, quite honestly, not advanced as far as we would like into the enemy’s territory. We truly believe that JESUS will build His church, even the part of it that we occupy in downtown Eustis. But we are also recognizing that maybe WE have, in some measure, been less than helpful in Christ’s holy endeavor. Our music needs to improve. Our PR needs to improve. Our inreach and our outreach need to improve. Can this change? WILL it change? Like the Gators, WE’LL SEE!
October 20th, 2009 by drpuritan
A sweet spirit prevailed at RBC this past Sunday, punctuated by good eating and good fellowship around God’s Word. I am teaching only my Bible class with 9th/10th grade now at Liberty Christian Academy. What a great group they are! They have put up with a Hebrew song and the Reformation Polka, at 8:15 a.m. I am sure they think I am crazy, but they are patient with me all the same. Teaching this class allows me still to have some good ministry at the school, continue my early rising of necessity and focus needed attention on pastoring our dear church. I already miss the students in the classes I gave up, but I get to see them each morning briefly (and God has confirmed that, while some are called to Physical Education and Eighth Grade English, I surely am not). The Lord Jesus has renewed my passion for the pulpit and is giving me the grace to “stir up the gift of God” in much the same way Paul exhorted Timothy to do. This Friday I will be preaching at the LCA chapel on the subject “Five Latin Phrases from the 16th Century and Why You Should Care about Them in the 21st Century.” What a mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him; heaven and earth adore Him! What a mighty God we serve!