Bits and Pieces – 122nd Edition – July 10, 2022

     Why is it that the news from the media is generally bad – murders, killings, disasters and so on?  Is this age worse than earlier ones? Probably not, but with today’s instant communications we quickly become over-loaded, not to mention depressed, with all the bad news.

     Any examination of the Old Testament will show the terrible wars that the children of Israel engaged in.  Innumerable people were killed, mostly by the sword.  In our day armies have progressed from the simple sword to horrible weapons of mass destruction.

     Thank God for the good news of the gospel of Christ.  We are still called to fight the battle for truth, but it is not a physical battle but a spiritual one: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” [Ephesians 6:12].  Therefore, the weapons we use in our warfare are “not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” [2 Corinthians 10:4]. God has put into our hands the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”  [Ephesians 6:17].

    The world wants us to sally forth into battle but does not want us to bring our trusted weapon with us.  That is because the world cannot stand against the wisdom and power of the Word of God.  They are happy if we use our own philosophical arguments; these they can easily defeat, but the Word of God is endowed with invincible powers.  Let us firmly grasp this sword today as we go forth in the crusade against the world, the flesh and the devil.

“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46].

Yea, once, Immanuel’s orphaned cry

His universe hath shaken.

It went up single, echoless,

“My God, I am forsaken!’

It went up from His Holy lips

Amid His lost creation,

That, of the lost, no son should use

Those words of desolation.

[Elizabeth Barrett Browning]

     Abortion has to be one of the most vicious crimes against God and humanity there is, because it involves innocent children.  God is the author of all life and the baby in the womb is alive. In the western world literally millions of unborn babies are slaughtered each year.

     It was surprising therefore, that the U.S. Supreme Count voted to overturn Roe v Wade, the landmark decision of 1973, that ruled the U.S Constitution generally protects the liberty to choose an abortion.

     Roe v Wade is highly controversial, the country being divided between those who support the life of the unborn child, and those who are willing to take its life to end an unwanted pregnancy.  Seldom does anybody raise the matter of uncontrolled sexual activity.  Fornication is sin.  Without that there would not be so great a need for abortion.

     It was therefore a welcome, but largely unforeseen, action by the recent decision of the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade.  But the battle is not over.  Already massive protests have been mounted by the abortionists.   Christians need to redouble their efforts at the throne of grace in prayer.  It was much prayer that led the Supreme Court to its recent decision.  It will be prayer that will ultimately prevail.

     The D’Addurno family, Frank, Clairissa and little Franco moved into the Toronto Church at the beginning of July.  Frank has completed his studies in the Geneva Reformed Seminary and has been placed by the presbytery for his internship year in Toronto.  He will be working under Dr. Saunders and the Toronto session as he gains practical experience prior to his ordination.  Frank is following the footsteps of his father, the Rev. Tony D’Addurno, the minister of Barrie Free Presbyterian Church.

 “The Christian’s joy is in proportion to his understanding of his full and free acceptance by God on the sole merit of Christ’s righteousness.” [Alexander Simpson]

“Joy is the flag that is flown from the citadel of the heart when the King is in residence.” [Anon.]

“There is something in the very countenance of those who walk with God, that gives authority to all they say.”  [R.C. Chapman].