Ken Pierpont's Blog, page 86
February 28, 2017
Four Questions to Ask When Bad Things Happen (Video)
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Based on this passage, here are four questions to ask when bad things happen to you. Get a little journal and begin to record your insights in it. Say to your soul, “Lord, I know you love me and you are doing a good work in me through this.”
1. What good can come from this bad thing?
2. What qualities of Christ-like character is God forming in me through this (29)
3. Who can I help with what I’m learning?
4. How can I glorify God through this?
When you look back on your life you will often see that in your darkest times God was doing some of His deepest and most beautiful work. Maybe we won’t see the full picture until we are with the Lord, like Job, but the picture will be a beautiful one, we have God’s Word on it.
Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
February 28, 2017
February 26, 2017
Coram Deo
This morning at Evangel I preached through Ephesians 4:17-32. Commenting on verse 29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear…” I mentioned that Augustine had a sign hanging over his dinning room table which read:
“Whoever speaks evil of an absent person is not welcome at my table.”
When I first read that quote my heart was quiet with conviction. Across the congregation that same silence fell this morning. I am praying that God will help me be a good example of one whose speech is edifying and graceful—like a gift to those who hear it.
Once in my grandmother and grandfather Shipley’s home I remember seeing a thought-provoking plaque. It read:
“Christ is the head of our home.
He is the unseen guest at every meal.
He is the silent listener to every conversation.”
God help me remember that I live and move and breathe and think and speak Coram Deo—in the presence of God.
Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
February 26, 2017
February 25, 2017
The Comfort of Simple Things
I’m working—well puttering and musing in my study this wonderful Saturday morning and I realize that I have no candle burning.
After an unusually warm February week the air turned a bit colder this morning. Not cold enough to keep the birds from singing in the trees overhead. Not cold enough to keep the spring from my step on the way out for coffee. Not cold enough to merit a stocking cap, but cold enough that I realize I need the warmth and light and company of of a good, home-made candle burning on the desk before me.
Now with a dancing, glowing, fragrant presence beside me I return to work feeling like a good, thick, flannel shirt. And I’m thankful for the comfort of simple things.
Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
February 25, 2017
You Are the One Who Lifts Up My Head
[Photo by Ben White]
Back in October the devil made a mistake and tried to discourage me. That made me turn to the Lord in prayer and ask some close friends to pray for me… When I woke up the Lord had lifted up my head… then he put this Psalm into my soul:
Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help for him in God.” Selah
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people…
(Psalm 3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RD...
Resolved
Resolved.
When I listen to music just to close my eyes and listen to music–perhaps to stare into the fire but nothing more.
When I read, to give myself to reading alone, tasting the words for their flavor and not rushing across the page.
When I walk, just to walk.
When I listen, to listen with my heart.
And when I pray, to pray down to the core of my soul.
(A short video from a quiet walk last fall on the Oregon Coast at Gearhart).
Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
February 25, 2017
Walking Off The Size of My Inheritance
Spending this quiet evening with an old friend, Fred Craddock. He has a way of saying the most profound things like this nugget:
“I know I need to be scolded. I need to be corrected. I need to be instructed and exhorted and I need to be called to repentance. But I also need for you, the preacher, to take me by the hand and let me walk off the size of my inheritance as a child of God. I need every now and then to run my fingers through the unsearchable riches of the treasury of God’s grace, sing the doxology, and go home.”
Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
February 23, 2017
February 6, 2017
Why Church? Part II (Video)
Series: Ephesians 2017
Title: Why Church-Part II
Text: Ephesians 3:1-13
Evangel Baptist Church–Taylor, Michigan
February 5, 2017 AM
Why Church? Part II (Audio)
Series: Ephesians 2017
Title: Why Church-Part II
Text: Ephesians 3:1-13
Evangel Baptist Church–Taylor, Michigan
February 5, 2017 AM
February 3, 2017
Story and Teaching for the Soul
When I am invited to Paul and Hannah Gardner’s home I always think of what C. S. Lewis wrote: “Is there any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?” They have a wood-burning stove and two rocking chairs arranged nearby. It’s usually summertime when I am invited to Paul and Hannah’s home and it is usually on a Thursday night. Hannah prepares good food and creates an inviting atmosphere. She is a graceful Christian woman who reminds me a bit of a very young version of my own mother. Paul is gifted at nudging the conversation into good places for the help of all who are included in the circle. How I treasure those times.
If you were to ask me to name some of the people who greatly encourage me in my fellowship with the Lord I would include my dear friend Paul Gardner and his wife Hannah. How I love to do gospel work with them. How I love to kneel and pray with them. How I love to sing and worship when they lead. How I love to rehearse the progress and the triumphs of the gospel with them by the fire or around the table in their gracious home. How I cherish in my memory the little scene over and over again where, after a week or a weekend of gospel ministry they hand a mint through my window in the tradition of Uncle Johnny, Barakel’s founder, and we pull out onto the highway and head downstate, hearts full of gratitude for yet another chance to make Him known in such a blessed place.
Today in the kind providence of God I stumbled on a video of Paul Gardner preaching in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It’s a meaningful message introduced by one of those stories of the triumphs of His grace and the advance of the gospel that I so love to hear him tell. Get comfortable. This is worth your while.
February 1, 2017
Singing Men!
My soul craves worship. My heart is especially tender to music that exalts Christ—rich in gospel truth. Joining with other men in singing of songs like this is one of the sweetest worship experiences I have ever had. To lift my voice and lift my hands and heart in praise with others is a sweet and holy pleasure.
Together for the Gospel is a gathering of pastors who are devoted to the gospel. When they gather there are thousands of them. To hear them sing—to worship with them is heaven on earth. Bob Kaufflin leads the songs with a simple piano accompaniment. To date they have made three recordings of the singing. Musical tastes vary widely among believers—but I have found these are beautiful, anointed recordings that stir my soul to worship. They are especially powerful when you look up the lyrics and read them while listening.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into hs presence with singing! (Psalm 100:1)
You can find the recordings here:
Together for the Gospel Live
Together for the Gospel Live II
Together for the Gospel Live III
