“Meditate much on Evangelical Truths, and the Gospel-Doctrine that is deli∣vered in Scripture. For as it is the Law of God, as revealed in the Scripture, that makes a mans sin to appear out of measure sinful, by that pure glass he seeth him∣self more monstrous and deformed a thousand times, then ever he apprehended himself: so by diligent inspection into, and consideration of the glorious things of the Gospel, we see a more easie and more probable way for assurance of Gods love, then otherwise we would: It’s not therefore the duty of Gods people to be only poring upon their sins to be alwayes applying the Law to themselves, but they are also to behold the glorious riches of Gods grace in the Gospel.” (Taken from sermon #145 mentioned below)
Anthony Burgess Expository Sermons on John 17 (“145 expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christ’s prayer before his passion explicated…”)
I have read the first five in the series. They are not long and I look forward to reading more of these before listening to a modern preacher. I did find a mistake in the first sermon. 1 Timothy 4:5 is quoted and it is noted as 1 Timothy 3:5. Anyone reading these will not be able to miss the spelling differences in that day.
note: there was a well-known unbeliever by the same name in the 20th century
Photo attribution: The REASONED CASES FOR CHRIST blog
A current goal of this blog is to post things that I think can assist Christian believers in their walk with God. Whenever I stumble upon something that fits that description for me I think others might be helped by it as well. Here is another jewel that I very recently discovered. It is written by Bruce Cooper who is the author of the blog “REASONED CASES FOR CHRIST.” For some reason I was unable to re-blog the post where Bruce linked to this work. If you wish to see the post, you can click on
In the post, Bruce links to a PDF (all of his PDFs are free) with the above title. If you wish to go straight to this piece, you can click on this link:
It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us. It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life. O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon him who abides forever faithful to thee. Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure. My soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet; store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them. Put thine all in Christ; set all thine affections on his person, all thy hope in his merit, all thy trust in his efficacious blood, all thy joy in his presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction. Remember that all the flowers in the world’s garden fade by turns, and the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth. Death’s black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. Oh! how sweet to have sunlight when the candle is gone! The dark flood must soon roll between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to him who will never leave thee; trust thyself with him who will go with thee through the black and surging current of death’s stream, and who will land thee safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with him in heavenly places forever. Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother. Trust all thy concerns with him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee, and who will never let thee leave him, even “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” “Lo, I am with you alway,” is enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me.
It was a cloudy day today but this picture still gives you an idea of this year’s tomato structure. It was made specifically for growing tomatoes. The structure is supported by four 10 foot fencing posts driven deep enough that there should be no stability issues. The rest is mainly bamboo that I’ve dried from a stand of bamboo that I’ve been trying to get rid of for years now. Each plant is in a 10 to 20 gallon grow pot (made of fabric) and filled with potting soil. The reason for the fencing is that I have a semi-lame cat named Daniel (after Lieutenant Dan) who thinks the grow pots are his and he loves to lay on them. The fencing is high enough that he will not try climbing over. The other cat that we belong to could easily make it over but she isn’t interested. I have left a few of the half-filled pots specifically for Daniel in his favorite places.
On this day there is no sun because we had a good rain last night and more is on the way. I am always thankful to the good Lord for rain. There is a larger garden area on the property but because of Oak trees, some pine trees, and a nice hickory tree that I refuse to cut down, the area designed for a garden gets little sun. So, this is my effort in a sunny area. This area did pretty well last year. I know the plants are too close together but I’ve packed them closer together before so I continue to experiment. Every year this thing looks a bit different. It is larger this year as each year I’ve continued to add more pots. I’m behind the professional growers because I start my plants from seed and am in no hurry as we have such a long growing season. If you click on the picture to enlarge it you might be able to see the little yellow flowers where a few tomatoes are already forming. I have several varieties in this small area so I know I might get some cross pollination but that only makes things more interesting. In this space there are Beefsteak tomatoes, Betterboy tomatoes, Cosmonaut Volkov tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, and a few Sun Gold cherry tomato plants.
To keep the foliage and disease down, I pinch out the suckers of the plant varieties that are indeterminate. The Romas (determinates) are the only ones I don’t bother doing that with. This keeps things under control as the season continues. Each plant will only have one main stem growing up each piece of bamboo. To keep certain bugs away, each pot contains one or more marigold plants. Some say they also keep snakes away. By the end of the season, I should have marigolds in many places. They are so easy to grow and transplant.
I do use a touch of miracle grow when the seedlings are developing and I make sure to use a pinch of lime in my growing media. By the time the plants are the size of the ones in this picture, I use only organic fertilizers and the pest control is all safe for humans. I spray the plants a few times a year with a BT/Cal-Mag/Kelp combo spray that I mix that is over 95% water. That keeps the hornworms down some. I do end up having to remove some hornworms by hand every year.
And that’s this year’s attempt. I’ll probably write two more posts on this thing during the growing season. I’m curious to see how it does and you might be too.
I would like to thank Tom of excatholic4christ for publishing this important video. I grew up in a church that discussed the Reformation quite a bit and have been surprised throughout my life as I’ve discovered how few churches discuss this important time in history. Every believer should know about the Reformation and why it was necessary.
The garden is coming along. The biggest surprise in the past year has been my introduction of Jerusalem artichokes to the few things I attempt to grow. They are also called sunchokes. They are knobby, edible tubers from a type of sunflower. They are not related to artichokes nor are they from Jerusalem.
I left the picture enlarged so that you can see the nice foliage on the plant. Because they are a species of sunflower they eventually put out long stems with small yellow flowers at the ends.
I only grow things that are easy to grow. Jerusalem artichokes have fit that description perfectly. The tubers from the plant can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled. I have no problem eating a raw one that’s been cleaned. My wife bakes them after cutting them into slices. She sprays them with olive oil cooking spray and then she is pretty generous with the salt and garlic powder. Her last batch was delicious. If you like a bit of a kick you can add pepper. The pepper is too much for me.
I am not a great gardener but these plants have been very productive for me. There is only one drawback. It’s the wind that they may produce. That’s right, flatulence or flatus may be a result of eating them. Between my wife and I, I am the one that has windy results. So, if you are raising boys, particularly those in their teens, proceed with caution.
If you are looking for something easy to grow that is quite productive. you may want to give Jerusalem artichokes a try.
Directions for profitable Reading the Holy Scriptures. Direct. 7
‘Compare one place of Scripture with another, and expound the darkest by the help of the plainest, and the fewer expressions by the more frequent and ordinary, and the more doubtful points by those which are most certain;’ and not on the contrary. (…to be continued)
From A Body of Practical Divinity, or A Christian Directory, Vol. 3
As I continue to learn more about the Puritans, just like mine some of their warts are beginning to become apparent. Some of these “warts” are serious and some are not. I have found these Ten Directions for profitable Reading the Holy Scriptures to be quite insightful and much of what Baxter wrote and did was productive. I continue to learn more about Mr. Baxter and I have found that, though many hold him in high regard, there is one important question that is brought up about him. From more than one source I have found that Baxter became disturbed by the antinomianism he saw amongst the soldiers in Cromwell’s army. Of course Baxter had every right to be deeply disturbed by the excessive antinomianism he saw but it led him to a position on Justification that seems wrong. He knew the reformed views of Justification in his time, as far as I’m aware, but his views changed over time and he came up with something “original.” Baxter is primarily associated with starting and promoting the theological views that became known as neonomianism. Many who were solid on Reformed orthodoxy found Baxter’s new formulation upsetting. The more I read the more I don’t blame them. For a deeper dive, check out this article and video and go from there:
By the way, this is a serious bump in the road but by no means will it keep me from publishing the remaining three directions from Baxter that I think are beneficial. Because I’m finding that Baxter may have been in error on the important subject of Justification, I will probably post the remaining three “Directions” in one post. At the same time, until I find that Baxter’s ideas about Justification were correct (and I’m finding just the opposite at present), I will not put up any other posts about Baxter after that.
Richard Baxter: A Strange Theological Mix “Happily, these erroneous doctrines do not surface much in Baxter’s devotional writings, which are geared mainly to encourage one’s sanctification rather than to teach theology.”
The Grace of the Law “It is a study of the seventeenth century debates around Antinomianism and Neonomianism in which he guides the reader through the main issues with honesty, letting the participants speak for themselves and demonstrating how our Puritan forefathers brought the teaching of the Bible to combat both errors.”
Tom of the excatholic4christ blog continues to post a 10 part series by Mike Gendron on the differences between Biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism. This is the third post of seven that he has published that I have re-blogged because it is easily understood and much needed. Mike Gendron, the presenter, spent over 30 years in the Catholic Church before he realized their were great differences between what he was being taught and what was in scripture. I think everyone should know what their church teaches. So many Protestants and Catholics attend services and don’t know some of the basics that their church statements teach. We are all on a learning curve and, I believe, the Bible is our guide. I will be re-blogging a post at the end of the 10 part series that Tom plans to publish which includes all 10 videos. I appreciate Tom’s efforts to help Catholics navigate places other than the Bible that their leaders believe are equal (though in places contradictory) to what the Bible teaches.
Born Again
Beth is a born again Christian who lives in Canada. She believes that Jesus is the the way, the truth, and the life and she also believes that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. She blogs on a variety of topics.
Elizabeth Burke's Blog
Elizabeth is a writer of Evangelical Christian books based in Ireland. Her books are currently published under “Ready Writer Publications.” Her blog is a testimony to her Christian faith and always an enjoyable read.
excatholic4christ
Tom has a loving heart for Catholics and his blog is an attempt to help those in Catholic churches understand that we are saved by grace alone. He blogs on a variety of topics.
Heavenly Raindrops
God-inspired words and images to bring blessings like rain
m'Kayla's korner
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. Luke 11:35
Mrs. Acuna's Blog
If you have a teenager or anyone close to being one, this is a must read
REASONED CASES FOR CHRIST
Bruce Cooper’s excellent Christian Apologetic Resources For Laypersons is a place that I’ve been visiting more often as time goes by. You should too!
The Domain for Truth
Slimjim’s “about” states: “(Jim Lee) is a pastor. He is a faithful servant of the church and his Saviour. Although young in age he is trying to be an apologist for the faith. “
The Hope Blog
Former Christian Talk Show Host, Ingrid Schlueter’s blog
The Narrowing Path
A blog to help Christians in Australia connect the dots…(it’s helped me here in the “good” ole U.S.A.)
The Realist Juggernaut
John is a fellow truth-seeker and his blog mission is to navigate the intricate maze of reality, bringing you unfiltered insights and thought-provoking discussions. John efficiently balances news and faith in our challenging times.
Posted by Chris 
Wings of the Wind 
Quotes #48…Anthony Burgess 1600-1663
May 27, 2026“Meditate much on Evangelical Truths, and the Gospel-Doctrine that is deli∣vered in Scripture. For as it is the Law of God, as revealed in the Scripture, that makes a mans sin to appear out of measure sinful, by that pure glass he seeth him∣self more monstrous and deformed a thousand times, then ever he apprehended himself: so by diligent inspection into, and consideration of the glorious things of the Gospel, we see a more easie and more probable way for assurance of Gods love, then otherwise we would: It’s not therefore the duty of Gods people to be only poring upon their sins to be alwayes applying the Law to themselves, but they are also to behold the glorious riches of Gods grace in the Gospel.” (Taken from sermon #145 mentioned below)
Anthony Burgess
Anthony Burgess Expository Sermons on John 17
(“145 expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christ’s prayer before his passion explicated…”)
I have read the first five in the series. They are not long and I look forward to reading more of these before listening to a modern preacher. I did find a mistake in the first sermon. 1 Timothy 4:5 is quoted and it is noted as 1 Timothy 3:5. Anyone reading these will not be able to miss the spelling differences in that day.
note: there was a well-known unbeliever by the same name in the 20th century
CR
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