The Importance of Sound Doctrine

I just finished writing a devotion on the importance of sound doctrine in our Christian walk.  There are so many voices out there vying for our attention today.  Unfortunately, there are a number of so-called
"Christian" books in print that really take great liberty with the Bible.  This leads to confusion and distortion of the truth.  I enjoy a good book as much as anyone, but I want to make certain that what is being stated follows what God's Word says.

In addition to articles and books in print, there are a number of movements afoot in the Christian realm.  I ran across an excellent YouTube video which took place some time ago with R.C. Sproul, Albert Mohler and Ravi Zachiarius.  They were asked about their thoughts relating to the "Seeker Sensitive Movement" and the emergent church.  Here is a link to one of the videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2zvqQ1w-Os . After watching this video, you can find the one that deals with the emergent church. I think they are noteworthy to view and consider.


God has really been impressing on me over the last two weeks how important it is to know what we believe and why we believe it. Several great places to go for solid information on Christian doctrine is "The Westminster Confession of Faith", The Heidelburg Catechism, and John Calvin's " Institutes of the Christian Religion" to name a few. Each of these come with a list of Scriptures to look up so that you can compare each statement based on the Word.


My husband and I also led the series put out by Focus on the Family entitled "The Truth Project". This DVD series is perhaps one of the best teachings concerning our Christian walk in light of our current culture. If you have a chance to participate in watching this series through your church or small group I would encourage you to do so.

Sound doctrine is based on the Word of God. The principles of living taught by our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles is what we need to follow for our daily living. With so many voices crying for our attention today, we all need to to be careful who we listen to. The one verse which most clearly sticks in my head about today's culture and our place in it is found in 2 Timothy 4:3-5: "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." To that....I say Amen.


In His love,
Barbara and Glenn

Reflections on our Busy Weekend

Thanksgiving has come and gone sadly. It seems to arrive so quickly and then everyone is on their way home. What a wonderful time of family fellowship we had sharing a host of goodies and playing with the grandchildren. While it was hectic at times, it was cherished. Every smile, hug and helping hand was a rich blessing to us. There is nothing like family!

The house is quiet now and the dishes are all put up; but the memories remain indelibly printed on our hearts. I cannot help but remember what I found printed in the back of my Grandfather's Bible. One Christmas, he wrote about the gathering of our whole family at his home. He wished that the evening would never end and that he could capture that moment forever. I understand now what he meant when he wrote that heartfelt thought. For me, the joy is that while our earthly evenings will eventually come to an end, we will all be together for eternity because we share our faith in Jesus Christ. One day we will all sit around His table in heaven at the marriage supper of the Lamb and we will never be parted. I thank God for that gift of free grace He has given to us through Christ, and for the blessing of our family times together.

Hope your Thanksgiving celebrations were sweet and left indelible memories on your hearts as well!

Barbara and Glenn

What is Thanksgiving all About?

This is the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and I am in a reflective mood. There are so many things to be thankful for: good health, our home, our wonderful family and grandchildren (pictures right). However, the most important thing for which I am thankful is the relationship I have with God through Jesus Christ my Lord.

Our pastor preached on a text that has stuck in my heart. The passage is found in Colossians 2:13-15: "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him." For 38 years, I have been alive in Christ and dead to my former way of living. It was God who called me and not anything that I could have done for myself. Knowing that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ I have been set free from sin and death makes me humbly grateful.

My husband and I prayed to receive the salvation offered in Christ on the same evening three months before we were married. How gracious God was to give us the best gift of all before our wedding day. This is the hope we have passed to our children and which we wish to pass along to our grandchildren.

On Thanksgiving, we will reflect on the blessings which God has so freely given to us. In addition, we will ask Him to continue to guide us into all truth that we may bring glory and honor to His name with our lives.

May your Thanksgiving Day be blessed as you reflect on what God has done for you this past year.

With love from Serenity Acres,

Barbara and Glenn

First Attempt At Blogging

Everything has to have a beginning and this is no exception.  For a long time now, I have wanted to start a blog so that I might be able to share my thoughts with others.  I firmly believe that nothing has an impact quite like the written word, so with that in mind, I pray that God will direct my writing so it will glorify Him and encourage others.

My devotions have been my only source of outlet up until this time and if any of you want to read them, I will be happy to add you to my devotion list.  Simply leave a comment with your email address and I will be happy to add you.

As with all things, this is a new adventure so as I learn how to add interesting items to the blog....I will do so.

Thanks for reading this first attempt and may you be blessed!

Barbara