Wolves in Sheeps Clothing: Part 3

William Miller had no sympathy with those influences that led to fanaticism. He declared, with Luther, that every spirit should be tested by the word of God. "The devil," said Miller, "has great power over the minds of some at the present day. And how shall we know what manner of spirit they are of? The Bible answers: 'By their fruits ye shall know them.'. . . There are many spirits gone out into the world; and we are commanded to try the spirits. The spirit that does not cause us to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, is not the Spirit of Christ. I am more and more convinced that Satan has much to do in these wild movements. . . . Many among us who pretend to be wholly sanctified, are following the traditions of men, and apparently are as ignorant of truth as others who make no such pretensions."--Bliss, pages 236, 237. "The spirit of error will lead us from the truth; and the Spirit of God will lead us into truth. But, say you, a man may be in an error, and think he has the truth. What then? We answer, The Spirit and word agree. If a man judges himself by the word of God, and finds a perfect harmony through the whole word, then he must believe he has the truth; but if he finds the spirit by which he is led does not harmonize with the whole tenor of God's law or Book, then let him walk carefully, lest he be caught in the snare of the devil."--The Advent Herald and Signs of the Times Reporter, vol. 8, No. 23 (Jan. 15, 1845). "I have often obtained more evidence of inward piety from a kindling eye, a wet cheek, and a choked utterance, than from all the noise of Christendom."--Bliss, page 282. {GC 396.2}

Great Controversy pg. 396

Wolves in Sheeps Clothing: Part 2

The prince of evil contests every inch of ground over which God's people advance in their journey toward the heavenly city. In all the history of the church no reformation has been carried forward without encountering serious obstacles. Thus it was in Paul's day. Wherever the apostle raised up a church, there were some who professed to receive the faith, but who brought in heresies, that, if received, would eventually crowd out the love of the truth. Luther also suffered great perplexity and distress from the course of fanatical persons who claimed that God had spoken directly through them, and who therefore set their own ideas and opinions above the testimony of the Scriptures. Many who were lacking in faith and experience, but who had considerable self-sufficiency, and who loved to hear and tell some new thing, were beguiled by the pretensions of the new teachers, and they joined the agents of Satan in their work of tearing down what God had moved Luther to build up. And the Wesleys, and others who blessed the world by their influence and their faith, encountered at every step the wiles of Satan in pushing overzealous, unbalanced, and unsanctified ones into fanaticism of every grade.

Great Controversy pg. 396

Wolves in Sheeps Clothing: Part 1

Satan is "the accuser of the brethren," and it is his spirit that inspires men to watch for the errors and defects of the Lord's people, and to hold them up to notice, while their good deeds are passed by without a mention. He is always active when God is at work for the salvation of souls. When the sons of God come to present themselves before the Lord, Satan comes also among them. In every revival he is ready to bring in those who are unsanctified in heart and unbalanced in mind. When these have accepted some points of truth, and gained a place with believers, he works through them to introduce theories that will deceive the unwary. No man is proved to be a true Christian because he is found in company with the children of God, even in the house of worship and around the table of the Lord. Satan is frequently there upon the most solemn occasions in the form of those whom he can use as his agents.

Great Controversy pg. 395-396

Liars...YUCK!

I hate lies and the lying liars that lie.

Collegedale Church: Worship Renewal

According the Collegedale Church's website...
"There is also deep concern for a group of students, up to as many as 1000, who apparently do not attend church services anywhere in the greater Collegedale area and need to feel invited to have a church home here on campus. With the realization that this is such an important period of decision-making in the lives of these students, the need to make room for them is glaring and deeply felt. A proposed plan was presented to the board, thoroughly examined and discussed, then voted. It calls for a change in the morning schedule for Sabbath School and worship service."

Here is the video of Pastor John Nixon explaining the change.

Pastor Nixon says the church will work with Campus Ministries' Spiritual Life Team in developing the student-led worship.

I remember Jeff Tatarchuk sharing with me a year ago about his idea of SEYC and BWC working with Collegedale Church.... I wonder how the two ideas will differ.

Your New Bible Workers Club President

After the SEYC Advisory Board meeting at Dr. Chung's palatial estate late last semester, we had to have a look around. It wasn't long before Stephanie Schliefer found a grand piano and filled the room with her playing and singing. Meanwhile, Eric Rose preserved Stephanie's performance and documented the decor and with his video camera. The rest of us ran around in our socks on the tiled floors, played ping pong, and curiously peaked around corners. Spacious rooms, beautiful paintings on every wall, and yes this wonderful sofa or whatever it's called that Ezequiel found.

Something about it begged us to not only have our picture taken on it, but to strike a classical pose as well. "You should use this on the cover of the Bible Workers Handbook," Zeke said jokingly. It might not make the cover of any handbook but it's here on my blog.

Of course Katie couldn't resist either...

Kristin Thomas: Full of Grace

I don't know what prompted this gem of a shot, but it's a good one. In the sanctuary after Sabbath worship at North River Church. All photos by Christy Kurtz.


Here's the unedited photo.


Kristin with Reyna Joy. This is the only photo I took.

I can't believe that so many wonderful friends are going their separate ways now that school is over. Sister Kristin, you'll be missed. God bless you and your medical mission work in Chad.