The Danger of the Prosperity Gospel

The following video clip from John Piper and Desiring God explains the dangerous nature of prosperity gospel preaching. Much of the so-called-gospel preached in our city is this type of thing.  It is dangerous, and is, as he says, “another gospel.”

He does not overestimate its danger on the mission field. I was in Brazil last year, and Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer were both the rage in Christian circles. They had a well-funded and well-organized machinery in place to 1) Promote their message 2)Pervert people’s understanding of American Christianity (i.e. this type of gospel is why America is so prosperous and you aren’t) and 3)Pervert the very gospel. Watch it. It will provide you with a wealth of understanding.

Audio Downloads

I would encourage you to check out www.christianaudio.com if you like to listen to audiobooks. Every month they have a free download if you sign up. This month, it is John Piper’s Desiring God, which I would recommend you read (or listen to).

Otherwise, they have good prices on audiobook downloads or orders, and usually they have monthly specials as well.

How to Spot a False Teacher

Thanks to Erik over at JC Ryle Quotes, who shares some wisdom from Ryle, a 19th century pastor, on how to spot a false teacher:

“What more common than to hear it said of some false teacher in this day:

‘He is so good, so devoted, so kind, so zealous, so laborious, so humble, so self-denying, so charitable, so earnest, so fervent, so clever, so evidently sincere, there can be no danger and no harm in hearing him. Besides he preaches so much real Gospel: no one can preach a better sermon than he does sometimes! I never can and never will believe he is unsound.’

“Who does not hear continually such talk as this? What discerning eye can fail to see that many Churchmen expect unsound teachers to be open vendors of poison, and cannot realize that they often appear as ‘angels of light,’ and are far too wise to be always saying all they think, and showing their whole hand and mind. But so it is. Never was it so needful to remember the words, ‘The serpent beguiled Eve by his subtilty.’”

~ J.C. Ryle

Warnings to the Churches, “Apostolic Fears”, 131.

Homebodies, er, I mean, Homebuilders Abroad

I am ready to get home!

Please don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful for the privilege and opportunity to go abroad. I take at least yearly, what, for many people, are trips of a lifetime. I am honored to be able to teach some of what the Lord has taught me. What a glorious thought that what I am teaching may inspire some young men to have courageous, faith-filled lives like Joshua, or the committment to the work of God seen in Nehemiah (yes, I am teaching the Historical Books!).  I myself am inspired by the courageous faith and committment in the lives of the cross-cultural brothers I am teaching this week. When I spend a week with them, I am renewed in my confidence in the gospel and the Church!

However, I cannot escape the fact that I am a homebody. I miss my wife and kids. I have already skyped home multiple times.  About this point in a week I get my laptop out and start looking at pictures.   Last year, I was on Kingfisher Airways in the middle of India. They were showing a family comedy, and I was crying in the middle of a bunch of curry and Indians. Crazy American!  I took a study-break walk yesterday and enjoyed a beautiful sunset beside a cloudburst on the ocean, but even more beautiful than that to me is the red and golden bursts of leaves on our Michican Oaks and Maples.

I love teaching brothers and sisters around the world, but I love my brothers and sisters back home the most. It is an honor to preach the gospel in distant lands, but my neighbors need it just as badly. I am ready to get home.

Speaking of which, I hope the Homebuilders ABF activity went well. I certainly was sad to miss it. In my sentimental picture journey, I came across this pic from the Vanhouten’s place. Do any of these kids look familiar?   I have spent much of this evening studying, part of that being for our lesson Sunday finishing Proverbs 6.  I could  not get past the first couple verses of the next section: 

“²⁰ My son, observe the commandment of your father, And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; ²¹ Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. ²² When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you. ²³ For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life.”

I think God is leading me this Sunday just to focus on the question, which really isn’t the main point of this entire section, “Are we passing on commandments and teaching to our children?” Or, to put it differently, “Are our kids wearing ties, having guides, being watched and hearing voices?” I need to continually recommit myself to giving my kids teaching that will guide and watch over them. I want them to hear voices (mine and the Spirit’s, that is) in their head when they contemplate decisions. I hope you do to.

See you all Sunday, the Lord willing.

Pastor Pearson

P.S. I just got dinner. Very tasty. Hearkened me back to my early years when my dad used to get KFC Fried Gizzards (ok, I’d better not think too much on this). Bok choy and a fried egg to boot!

Harvest Party This Saturday!

See the “Coming Events” Tab for details.

Recovering

Well, Lord willing, this will be my last post about Mark.  God has answered your prayers for Mark’s physical healing.  When I went to see him at home a couple of days ago I was shocked at the fact that his wounded leg is almost back to its normal size.  I have not personally seen the skin grafts, but this week the doctors said they look very good.  Mark’s thigh is also healing.

None of us knows what tomorrow may bring and that is certainly the case for Mark at this time.  It is difficult for a young man to be out of work for so long.  Since creation, God has made man to work for His glory and it brings fulfillment to do so.  It is also difficult for an adult man to be in a position where it is necessary for his parents to care for him.  Our parents have provided sacrificial care for the past two years since Mark’s initial accident.

Soon Mark will gain enough physical strength to be back on his feet.  Unfortunately the worker’s comp issue is still unsettled, so Mark is not free to look for new employment, nor are all his medical needs covered.  Many uncertainties lie ahead, but we are confident that our Heavenly Father is sovereign and always does what is best and good.  We would love to see Mark spend some time in Africa with Rob and are praying that God would open that door if it is His will.  We are also praying that God will send along people to encourage Mark in the Lord.  Scripturally our prayers for Mark are as follows:

That he would HOPE in God

Psalm 42:11 and 43:5—Why are you in despair, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?  Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 62:5-6—My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.

Romans 15:13—Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

That Mark would grow spiritually and be used for God’s glory

Philippians 1:6—For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:9-11—For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience.

Thank you so very much for how you have ministered to our family by praying and also by meeting physical needs.  Please join us in praying the above Scripture for Mark so that we may all glorify God together for what He has done and will do!

Good News

The surgeon took the bandages off about an hour ago.  He said that it looks like 100% of the skin grafting has taken so far, which is VERY rare.  (I remember he said before that 20% success is good.) God has obviously answered prayer.

Taking both the wrapping and the wound vac off was very painful.  Mom said the skin looks like mesh netting, not even like skin.  It is stapled all around.  The doctor said the area on the thigh where the skin was taken from is healing nicely.  It is covered with something that looks like cellophane or shrink-wrap.  This is to be left alone until the covering comes off on its own.

Mark will be coming home tomorrow.  They’ll keep him at the hospital long enough to change the bandages again.  The bandages will be changed at home once a day.  It is very important that the skin not be touched.  The doctor said it is like planting a new, tender plant without any roots.  The surgeon will have Mark come to his office in Inkster every three or four days.

Mark’s foot is still swollen, but has gone down some.  Mark’s 24 hour a day job is to work through the pain of his foot, and move it as much as he can so that he will not lose the use of his foot or toes.

Surgery Update

Mark came out of surgery yesterday evening and our parents stayed there until they saw him at 9.  Mom said the area on his thigh where the skin was taken from was larger than she expected.  She also said they were going to put the wound vac back on his leg.

Mark had a very long and painful night and day today.  He is having much pain and some adverse effects from the pain medication.  We are asking for NO visitors at this time, please.

Heading into surgery

Amy’s mom called a few minutes ago and said they were taking Mark in to surgery. The prepping will take about an hour, probably. Please pray for the surgery to be effective.

Surgery Planned

Mom talked to the surgeon tonight. He is going to try to schedule the surgery for tomorrow (Tuesday) around 6 p.m. If he/the hospital can’t fit Mark in for surgery tomorrow, it will be on Thursday. The skin grafts will be taken from Mark’s thigh and will be done on both sides of his lower leg. After the surgery, they will wrap the leg for three days. After three days, they will check to see whether or not the skin grafts have taken. If the grafting is successful, Mark will go home the next day. Also, please continue to pray that the infection would clear up completely. It is at the lowest level and is in both his leg and head. They will continue the antibiotics for two more weeks.

 My husband’s Grandma died this morning. We are rejoicing that she is in heaven with the Lord. (How exciting that must be! Perhaps by now she has also been reunited with her son, Pearson’s dad, who died so young.) We will be heading to Indiana in another day or two, but I will do my best to post brief reports about Mark, the surgery, and the recovery.