Moving Time

I am moving my blog to mkwalters.blogspot.com.  You can find new content there.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Self-Control

Self-control is not a topic we like to think about. But it is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). It is also a topic that is important throughout the Proverbs.

God wants us to be self-disciplined in what, and how much, we eat; in how often we visit our neighbor and in how we deal with our temper. Personally, I find Proverbs 25:16, 27 particularly challenging. It is no so hard to stay away from honey, but if you put Ice Cream, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, M&M’s or pretty much any form of chocolate in the place of honey – the verse becomes very personal. The Scriptures are clear – carefully moderating our desserts (honey) is a good thing.

Proverbs 28 has more to say about greed, which is another form of lack of self-control.  We are greedy when we want more than we need or things others have and we do not.  Greed will lead to punishment (28:20), the sin of partiality (28:21), poverty (28:22), conflict (28:25) and curses (28:27).

Beloved, our American lifestyle promotes greed, discontent and lack of self-control. We need to pay attention to God’s warnings. It is not bad to find honey (desert) or other forms of wealth. We should receive them with thanksgiving. But we must also use God’s good gifts in moderation.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

P.S. I apologize for the font changes within the post.  I’m having some trouble transfering from word to wordpress.

Last Post

As you may have noticed, I have not been posting for quite awhile.  I have no plans to resume.

I will leave the content that is here up.  I will also continue to post the Eric Liddell suggested readings on my church website.  You can find them here.

May the Lord bless you and keep you as you grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

In Christ

Pastor Mike Walters

The Modesty Survey

Happy Valentine’s Day. Here is a link to a survey that I believe was well constructed, fair, and could be helpful to many ladies who want to serve their brothers in Christ and honor their Lord by cultivating modesty.

I participated in the survey. I have not checked all the final results. It takes awhile to load each question, but the ones I have checked indicate that the guys were trying to be fair, balanced and helpful.

Ladies, moms and dads — take a look.

Quotes from Thomas Watson

Here are some quotes I gathered from Thomas Watson, a puritan, as I studied this week:

On Happiness

It [blessedness] does not lie in the acquisition of worldly things. Happiness cannot by any art of chemistry be extracted here. –Thomas Watson, The Beatitudes, p.25

On Discontent

If a man were crowned with all the delights of the world, nay, if God should build him a house among the stars, yet the restless eye of his unsatisfied mind would be looking still higher. He would be prying beyond the heavens for some hidden rarities which he thinks he has not yet attained to; so unquenchable is the thirst of the soul till it come to bathe in the river of life and to center upon true blessedness. — Thomas Watson, The Beatitudes, p.27

On Blessing (Jesus’ or the World)

Observe how Christ’s doctrine and the opinion of carnal men differ. They think, ‘Blessed are the rich.’ The world would count him blessed who could have Midas’ wish, that all he touched might be turned into gold. But Christ says, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit.’ The world thinks, Blessed are they on the pinnacle; but Christ pronounces them blessed who are in the valley. Christ’s reckonings and the world’s do not agree. – Thomas Watson, The Beatitudes, p.39

On Poverty of Spirit

‘Poor in spirit’ then signifies those who are brought to the sense of their sins, and seeing no goodness themselves, despair in themselves and sue wholly to the mercy of God in Christ. – Thomas Watson, The Beatitudes, p. 42

In Christ

Pastor Mike Walters

Slow Posting Ahead

I will not be posting until after October 23rd.  I have family visiting. 

Blessings to you in Christ

Pastor Mike Walters

I’m Back, I Think . . .

I think I’m back.  I say I think, because I have still been having problems with WordPress eating my blog posts.  But, I think I may have found a work around.  In the meantime, I’d like to let you know about some of the plans I have for this blog in the future. 

First, as a pastor and a lover of Jesus Christ, I am burdened by the American church’s Biblical illiteracy.  So, I am working on a plan to address that in my blog.  Stay tuned.

Second, I have been repeatedly challenged to find a pastor or theologian from ages past and make a habit of reading their work.  The idea is for them to become a mentor of sorts as I study the Scriptures.  I hope to carve out some time on Friday’s to read and blog as I do this.

Third, I will continue to try and provide encouraging quotes, thoughts, reflections and applications from my studies.

In the meantime, you can find my recent sermons and book reviews at the Heritage Valley Bible Church website (click here).  The sermons are here and the book reviews are here.

I hope that this site will continue to bless you and strengthen you as you pursue Jesus.

In Christ

Pastor Mike Walters

Book Review: Gregg Harris The Christian Home School

I purchased this book for two reasons: my wife and I are interested in home schooling our daughter, and I have been very impressed by Gregg’s sons Josh, Alex and Brett Harris.  I now know that he has other children as well, but these are the ones I am familiar with through their public and growing ministries.  Josh is the author of a number of excellent Christian books, Alex and Brett run a website The Rebelution, which encourages teenagers to rise above the low expectations society sets for them.  My thought was that a man who is devoted to home-schooling and has succeeded in raising sons of the caliber of Josh, Alex and Brett is worth listening too.  I was not disappointed. Although, I do have a few concerns about this book.

Gregg is a passionate man and his passion runs throughout this book.  Many might be a little put off by his strong statements about both the public school system and the Christian school system.  I fear that some of his comments might fuel divisiveness in the church regarding schooling options.  While I do think that home-schooling is an excellent option, and the one I personally prefer, I think that the public schools and Christian schools are viable options for parents.  The main issue is that parents embrace their God-given responsibility and duty to raise and educate their children, regardless of which option they chose. 

That said, Gregg presents a passionate case for the superiority of home-schooling that Christian parents would do well to consider.  Gregg’s book is a thorough introduction to home-schooling.  He offers helpful chapters on transition, curriculum selection and support groups.  He provides contact information for various groups (I have not verified if this information is still valid).  I particularly enjoyed the chapter on “Delight Directed Study”.  This chapter alone is worth the price of the book.  He also strongly advocates developing a family business.  Not all families will be able to do this, but it is interesting advice for those who might.

This is a helpful and passionate book. Because of Gregg Harris’ passion, it should be read with discernment.  There are times when he states his views so strongly that you almost feel that doing something different would be sin (although he doesn’t say this!).  This book will provoke you and cause you to think.  It will also help and encourage you if you decide to take the step of home-schooling.  But please, remember that others may take a different stance.  We are not to judge each other, but accept one another as brothers and sisters in the Lord. 

You can buy the book by clicking here

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Check Back in October

I’m having technical difficulties and need to focus on some other priorities.  Check back in October and I’ll let you know what my future plans for this site are.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Heritage Valley Bible Church Website

I have the joy of announcing our new church website.

You can find it at hvbible.org.

On it you can find my recent sermons, information about our church and ministries, and other helpful resources.

Enjoy!

In Christ

Pastor Mike