Personal Note
I recently underwent a heart catheterization so that doctors could evaluate the state of my heart. That would be my physical heart inside my chest and not my spiritual heart. The latter one has an even trickier history.
The good news from the procedure was that my heart is about the same as it was in 2017. No better, but no worse. I have learned to live with my limitations and am grateful for the medications which keep that thing beating and the blood flowing. In 2013 when I had open heart surgery, I was told that my heart would probably not last more than 5 years. I’m now on year 11. Thank you, Lord.
Back when my heart was really acting up, I would often post a scorecard to keep up with all of the things related to my heart. Here is the updated scorecard.
4 heart attacks (2011-2017)
4 bypasses in open heart surgery (2013)
2 bypasses are still functioning.
2 bypasses closed up within a couple of years.
11 stents (2011-2017)
8 heart catheterization in 5 different hospitals.
My wife, Cindy tells me that she did not get married to me at the end of 2021 to quickly become a widow. She has almost 2.5 years invested already.
I appreciate the prayers for my heart, but I really desire prayers for the spiritual heart. May it beat with an ever growing desire for the Lord.
Is This a Prophet?
I hope you are not listening to Benny Hinn or supporting his ministry. When questioned recently about prophecies he has made that did not come true, he said this,
Sadly, there were some prophecies I gave that were not accurate or from the Lord. But who’s perfect?
You know what that makes Benny Hinn? A false prophet.
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A Conversion Story
In the 1500’s a man named Thomas Bilney was converted reading one verse of Scripture.
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
—1 Timothy 1:15
Bilney had this to say about his reading of the text,
This one sentence, through God’s instruction and inward looking, which I did not then perceive, did so exhilarate my heart, being before wounded with the guilt of my sins, and being almost in despair, that even immediately I seemed unto myself inwardly to feel a marvelous comfort and quietness, insomuch that my bruised bones leaped for joy.
After this, the Scripture began to be more pleasant unto me than the honey or the honeycomb; wherein I learned that all my labours, my fasting and watching, all the redemption of masses and pardons, being done without truth in Christ, who alone saveth his people from their sins; these I say, I learned to be nothing else but even, as St. Augustine saith, a hasty and swift running out of the right way.
Eventually he was burned to death as a martyr of the English Reformation.
Church History Tidbit
On May 3, 1675 in Massachusetts, a new law went into effect that required church doors to be locked during services. The law was put forward because too many people were leaving before the sermons were completed.
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Speaking of being a widow…
Form 15
This week I came across an old Baptist offering envelope that was officially designated as Form 15 - Individual Report Envelope from Broadman Supplies. What I found interesting was the little chart by which one might grade themselves for the week. Take a look.
What do you think about the grading percentages? I find it interesting that you only get 20% for attending preaching. That’s the same score for bringing your Bible and your offering, which might be a good thing.
Another question is whether or not this approach fosters a more legalistic spirituality. Let me know what you think.