Dr John Paton

One of my Christian heroes is Dr John G Paton. He lived between 1824 - 1897. He was a pioneering Missionary to the New Hebrides. These are islands which lie just South of the Solomon Islands, (basically just of the north west of Australia). At the time of his arrival they we inhabited by cannibals... not so when he left though...

Infact a wee click here will show you all about the islands today and the rich long and christian heritage it enjoys. Just look at the countries motto!
It has been my great privilege to re-read his autobiography to my wife.

Here is a great excert which has made me think about the necessity of living truly as a converted man, which Jesus Christ inside me.

"When I have read or heard the shallow objections of irreligious scribblers and talkers, hinting that there was no reality in conversions, and that the mission effort was but waste, oh, how my heart has yearned to plant them just one week on Tanna, with the "natural" man all around in the person of the cannibal and heathen, and the only one "spiritual" man in the person of the converted Abraham, nursing them, feeding them, saving them, "for the love of Jesus" - that I might just learn how many hours it took to convince them that Christ in man was a reality at all! All its doubts would dissolve under one glance of the new light that Jesus, and Jesus alone, pours from the converted Cannibal's eye".

If you want buy this awesome book go here, and if you want to listen to John Piper give a biography of the man listen here.

It is a thrilling, emotional, challenging, beautiful read which will undoubtedly change your perspective to love, and honour and declare Christ better.

I am the Resurrection and the Life

The Resurrection of our Lord - Is one of the founding doctrines of the Christian faith. Without Christ's resurrection we are still in our sins and a people greatly to be pitied. (1 Cor 15;17).

I have been reading Josh McDowell's research on the authenticity of the resurrection. Read it here.

For Christians the resurrection is of course not a intellectual event to engage with, but a delight to explore and Praise. Here is Sinclair Ferguson's sermon on the resurrection of Lazarus.

"I am the resurrection and the Life. John 11:25"

The God Who Suffers

Good Friday

1. When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts, 1674-1748