Family and Rest

Ruth 1:5-9 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

Ruth and her sister-in-law Orpah were in a really terrible situation. Their husbands and father-in-law had just died and were left alone to fend for themselves. Of course it was much different for women in these days and there just were not a whole lot of options for widows to provide for themselves without father or husband. Naomi, a Jewish woman, was going back to the land of Israel and back to her home country.

Naomi wanted her precious daughter-in-laws to have rest and peace in their lives and knowing that they would not have much hope in Israel, being Moabite, gentiles, she urged them to go back to their families and find husbands and rest in a family.

In those days, and even today, there is rest in family. For Ruth and Orpah, a family would have been provision and shelter for them so they would not be forced live on the kindness of others; if they were fortunate.

Even today, the family is a place of rest and love and peace and beauty. Men and women hope to have husbands and wives, and for most, the ideal life would someday include a family to come home to and night, a spouse to love and a place of rest from the stresses and worries of life. Yet it is not a place of eternal rest of the soul. Some Christian families are turning the family into and idol. They find rest and comfort in the family MORE than they do with God.

Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

But is it not true that it is better to live in the house of an angry, brawling contentious woman that to be without Christ? Any measure of peace and rest that we might find in this world is tainted by sin and imperfect; yet in Christ Jesus our Lord there is perfect peace and rest for our souls.

Family is blessed and wonderful, and I love my family; but it cannot provide rest for my soul. Don’t make your family your god or an idol.

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Douglas Newell IV

Writing Tips from C.S. Lewis

For the original post...8 Writing Tips from C.S. Lewis

Posted by Donald L. Hughes in Craft of Writing on April 20, 2010

(HT Challies)

In 1959 an American schoolgirl wrote to C. S. Lewis asking him for advice on the craft of writing. He sent her a list of eight rules, and I add my own editorial comments to each of them.

1. Turn off the radio.

Today, writers also need to turn off the TV, the iPod or the music streaming over the Internet. I know that some writers claim that background sounds enhances their creativity, but I don’t believe it for a minute, and apparently Lewis didn’t either. Writing is a solitary activity, where words are formed in a special space of the brain, and anything that competes for that space will result in a decrease in writing quality. Good writers are able to be alone with their thoughts and don’t need filler or distractions.


2. Read good books and avoid most magazines.

If you’re interested in writing good books then you need to read good books. Feed your mind with quality material and you will be more likely to be able to reproduce it. It is very difficult to find good Christian writing today; top selling books like The Shack are inferior in literary quality, so writers end up being torn between producing something good or something that sells well. Ideally, you will want to write something of literary quality that will be popular, and a path to that goal is reading quality books. Style is important and it is best absorbed though books that have stood the test of time. The writings of C.S. Lewis are a good place to begin reading.


3. Write with the ear, not the eye. Make every sentence sound good.

This is Lewis’ most important rule in my view. There is a cadence to good writing and it is important that you discover it for yourself. This, of course, is another good reason for shutting off the radio, TV or music as you write. Experienced writers know that all sentences do not sound good in the beginning. It is best to get thoughts on paper first and then come back to the draft and tune each sentence.


4. Write only about things that interest you. If you have no interests, you won’t ever be a writer.

There is genius in these words. Too many Christian writers compose their literary work out of a sense of divine obligation, a quest for profit or a deadline–rather than pure godly passion. Obligation, profit or a deadline often debase passion, but of course it is nice when all three elements can be combined. Sacrifice them all if you must–except for your passion for those things which interest.


5. Be clear. Remember that readers can’t know your mind. Don’t forget to tell them exactly what they need to know to understand you.

In all my teaching and conference work, I emphasize clarity above all things to embryonic writers. There is a direct connection between clarity, elegance and quality in writing, so clarity is always the first goal.


6. Save odds and ends of writing attempts, because you may be able to use them later.

Everything is made out of something. That’s why it is so important for writers to keep a journal. It is easy to forget thoughts, story ideas, snippets of conversations, events and experiences, so a journal is essential. Most writers have writing fragments–false starts, incomplete manuscripts or unsuccessful submissions–and Lewis is reminding us to save all these things and to use them as resources for other writing projects. I have so many odds and ends of writing that I store them in large plastic bins from Wal-Mart. This article was written from a fragment I first put in my file in 1997.


7. You need a well-trained sense of word-rhythm, and the noise of a typewriter will interfere.

Lewis emphasizes the importance of the cadence of the words again here, and it is a point well taken. Of all his suggestions, however, this one is perhaps the most outdated. Computer keyboards are far quieter than the clickity-clack of old typewriters. I use many different methods to get my thoughts on paper, but when I want to do my best work I always revert to writing in longhand on yellow legal pads. I think C.S. Lewis probably smiles on those who connect the mind and the hand to the written word in such an elemental way. That’s the way he did it and he came up with some pretty good books.


8. Know the meaning of every word you use.

Make a hobby us learning new words and using them in your writing. The purpose is not to be circumlocutious, but to be able to communicate aptly. A wide vocabulary adds substance to your writing. Some writers use words with which they have only glancing familiarity. Be sure you completely understand the meaning of every word you use. A fat dictionary is a good thing for a writer to own, but for efficiency you may wish to type this into the Google search box– define: circumlocution — in just that format. You will get the definition for any word you input after the colon.


Writing is a craft. You start as a novice before you become an apprentice and then develop into a master like C.S. Lewis. Since writing is a craft, not a gift, virtually anyone can acquire the skill and become a master over time. Remember, however, that the time must be invested in actually writing (not thinking about writing) and in reading the work of those who have mastered the craft.

Survey of the Sin Malachi

Malachi prophesies to Israel concerning the sins that were prominent in their nation, and were quite deadly to them, for the survival of their nation and their separation as a people were at a very dangerous point in history.

The Lord states a fact -- then the people object to the fact asserted. Then the Lord proves the fact and disproves their objections, then illustrates the fact stated.

Sins of ignorance are just as dangerous to the child of God as open rebellion.

1) Doubted God’s love: wherein hast thou loved us? (Malachi 1:2)
2) Despised and disrespected God’s name: wherein have we despised thy name? (Malachi 1:6)
3) Deceitful in offerings: wherein have we polluted thee? (Malachi 1:7)
4) Divorce and delighting in evil: wherein have we wearied him? (Malachi 2:17)
5) Deceived and delusional in their self assessment: wherein shall we return? (Malachi 3:7)
6) Dishonest dealings: wherein have we robbed thee? (Malachi 3:8)
7) Denial of God’s fidelity: what have we spoken against thee? (Malachi 3:13)

There is no excuse for unknown sin and unknown sin is just as harmful to the believer. Doubting and skepticism breeds evil and when we forget God’s goodness, our world turns black and ugly.


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Douglas Newell IV

Grace Gems

I may be the last to figure this out, but if you do not get the daily devotional via e-mail from Grace Gems, then you need to sign up today. I have received mine for a week and WOW, they are theologically rich, full of depth of Sovereign Grace.

Sign up today.

Also, for all those who love free things, check out their book store. They their books available for free download. Good stuff!


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Douglas Newell IV

Alas and did my Saviour bleed?

Alas, and did my Saviour bleed?
And did my Sov'reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Was it for crimes that I have done,
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died
For man, the creature's sin.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away—
'Tis all that I can do!

Studying about the Godman Jesus Christ right now. How it fills the heart with wonderment that my Sovereign would give Himself for me. As I was reading J.R. Graves expounding upon the subject of the humanity and divinity of Christ he quoted the Issac Watts hymn quoted above, which gives the practical application for studying such a message: Jesus, God the Son died for sinners.

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Douglas Newell IV

Boys and Girls Playing in the Streets

Zechariah 8:1-5 Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

As a parent, it is wonderful to sit outside in the summer time, in the cool of the evening and watch children happily playing. When the temperature is just right, the bugs are not pestering you, the children are all in a happy mood while hard at play; it is such a blessing from God.

Often though, we don’t have these scenes as much as we would want. Sometimes it’s too hot or too cold; other times it rains. Sometimes one of the children are in a bad mood and makes playing a chore rather than a joy. Sometimes one will fall and get hurt, other times the game becomes a fight. Young children want to explore past the watchful eye of mom and dad, but must be corral “back where I can see you!”
There is so much danger around us. Cars driving too fast and carelessly near the front of the home. In the back yard other dangers are lurking, whether be snakes, neighbor’s dogs that escaped and the like. Take the children to the park and see the strange man who is lurking about watching the children, or the terrible thought of what would happen if the kids wandered too far away and were taken by some deviant.

Oh the sinfulness of sin! That is why that a evening of joyful play can be a rarity. Sin has affected the weather, the earth, the animals and especially the human heart. Sin hurts and hampers even the simplest joy a family can participate in; it destroys the very act of children’s play. As time progresses, the dangers increase. Men wax worse and worse, life becomes worse and worse.

In our text, we have a concerning the millennial reign of Christ, when Jesus will rule this Earth for 1,000 years. He will rule all things, weather, animals and men. During Christ’s blessed reign, there will be no dangers in the woods, no dangers down the street, sin will not be allowed or tolerated. There will be no Satan to tempt and harm and all will be well.

The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. What a beautiful way of describing the joy of Christ’s kingdom and how it illustrates what we lost in the fall, and what we gain in Jesus Christ. The city streets will not be filled with gangs and violence, but with children and play.


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Douglas Newell IV

How could this idea be any worse?

Cemetery...uh, I mean seminaryFAIL.

John 14:6.
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Douglas Newell IV

More Zeal than Knowledge

From Charles Spurgeon's sermon #2673 Christ Crucified.

By the way, let me tell you a little story about Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. I am a great lover of John Bunyan, but I do not believe him Infallible. The other day I met with a story about him which I think a very good one. There was a young man in Edinburgh who wished to be a missionary. He was a wise young man. So he thought, “If I am to be a missionary, there is no need for me to transport myself far away from home. I may as well be a missionary in Edinburgh.” There’s a hint to some of you ladies who give away tracts in your district, but never give your servant Mary one. Well, this young man started and he was determined to speak to the first person he met. He met one of those old fishwives— those of us who have seen them can never forget them—they are extraordinary women, indeed! So, stepping up to her, he said, “Here you are, coming along with your burden on your back. Let me ask you if you have got another burden, a spiritual burden.” “What?” she asked. “Do you mean that burden in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress? Because if you do, young man, I got rid of that many years ago, probably before you were born.

“But I went a better way to work than the pilgrim did. The evangelist that John Bunyan talks about was one of your parsons that do not preach the Gospel, for he said, ‘Keep that light in your eye and run to the wicket-gate.’ Why, man alive! That was not the place for him to run to! He should have said, ‘Do you see that Cross? Run there at once!’ But, instead of that, he sent the poor pilgrim to the wicket-gate first—and much good he got by going there! He got tumbling into the slough and was like to have been killed by it.”

“But did not you,” the young man asked, “go through any Slough of Despond?” “Yes, I did. But I found it a great deal easier going through with my burden off than with it on my back.”

The old woman was quite right! John Bunyan put the getting rid of the burden too far off from the commencement of the pilgrimage. If he meant to show what usually happens, he was right, but if he meant to show what ought to have happened, he was wrong. We must not say to the sinner, “Now, Sinner, if you will be saved, go to the baptismal pool, go to the wicket-gate, go to the church—do this or that.” No, the Cross should be right in front of the wicket-gate and we should say to the sinner, “Throw yourself down there and you are safe. But you are not safe till you can cast off your burden and lie at the foot of the Cross and find peace
in Jesus.”

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Douglas Newell IV

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:18-20
The great commission is a Kingly imperative issued to the assembly He imparted authority, to carry out the mission that He has left the organization He created, with no room for apathy, modification, improvisation or insubordination.


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Douglas Newell IV

Apples of Gold

John Piper, in his book Don't Waste Your Life says this concerning God supplying our needs and the trouble and afflictions that we have in this life.

"Affliction raised his sword to cut off the head of Paul’s faith. But instead the hand of faith snatched the arm of affliction and forced it to cut off part of Paul’s worldliness. Affliction is made the servant of godliness and humility and love. Satan meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. The enemy became Paul’s slave and worked for him and even greater weight of glory than he would have ever had without the fight. In that way Paul – and every follower of Christ is more than a conqueror."

I finished chapter 6 of Matthew last Sunday night preaching of the portion of the Sermon of the Mount that deals with worry and anxiety. Worry is a dreadful sin because it effects the body, soul and spirit. Anxiety can cripple us. Paul had much he COULD have been anxious about, but He trusted in God and glorified Him in all aspects of life. Oh that we could live with such faith!

The fact that we cannot change anything by worry, shows a lack of faith when we do, and wasted time for us. When we first seek the kingdom of God, our focus leaves the physical, and the temporary, and focus our eye (making it single) of the eternal Glory of Christ and whether we have much or nothing, health or sickness, we are more than conquerors in Christ, and even see the trouble as God’s mercy to us, because we don’t even deserve the blessings viz food, drink, clothes, health, that God mercifully has given us.

You, who have faith in Christ for your eternal soul’s salvation, at what cost do you have that salvation? The Father, sent the Son, into this wicked sin cursed world, to die for those who loved him not, who knew him not. The Spirit, quickens God’s chosen that they may repent and believe in Christ. All this was done for the children of God. Take that in consideration, and then consider that God will provide the food for birds, simple birds. Here’s the lesser to the greater. If God will provide for the birds, will he not provide for you? Are you not greater than the birds? Why then worry about it?
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Douglas Newell IV

Come, magnify the Lord with me

I preached this morning on Magnifying the Lord in our Hearts. I thought I would share this Isaac Watts hymn with you this Lord's Day.

PSALM 34 PART 1


God's care of the saints; or, Deliverance by prayer.
Lord, I will bless thee all my days,
Thy praise shall dwell upon my tongue
My soul shall glory in thy grace,

While saints rejoice to hear the song.
Come, magnify the Lord with me,
Come, let us all exalt his name;
I sought th' eternal God, and he

Has not exposed my hope to shame.
I told him all my secret grief,
My secret groaning reached his ears;
He gave my inward pains relief;

And calmed the tumult of my fears.
To him the poor lift up their eyes,
Their faces feel the heav'nly shine;
A beam of mercy from the skies

Fills them with light and joy divine.
His holy angels pitch their tents
Around the men that serve the Lord;
O fear and love him, all his saints,

Taste of his grace, and trust his word.
The wild young lions, pinched with pain
And hunger, roar through all the wood;
But none shall seek the Lord in vain,
Nor want supplies of real good.


Isaac Watts


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Douglas Newell IV

Shalom, shalom: Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

According to Brown, Driver's, Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Shalom means "completeness, soundness, welfare, peace." In our text, we have shalom shalom, perfect peace.

The person who will have his mind and affections on the Lord God will be kept in perfect peace because he trusts in the Lord. God is our strength, our rock. When our heart and soul is fixed upon Jesus and what He has done for us, what He is doing for us and what He has promised for us, God will keep us in perfect peace. Will all the problems go away? No, probably not. Fixing our mind on problems that we cannot solve and cannot go away, will that make the problems go away? DEFINITELY NOT!

When our soul is fixed upon Jesus and we trust in Him, and the Word of God, having faith that God is not only able to do what He has promised but WILL do what He has promised, then God will give us that perfect peace in our soul. Trust in the Lord, forever. Today, tomorrow; forever. In the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.


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Douglas Newell IV

The Will of God in Sending the Son

Over 20 times in the book of John, scripture refers to God the Father sending God the Son to the Earth.

(John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 5:23; John 5:24; John 5:30; John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.)

Why was Jesus sent? What was the purpose of sending the Son? What was the intention in sending His Son? God doesn't do things for no reason, so what was the reason? What was the Father’s will in sending the Son? Was the Father’s will accomplished as He desired? What was the Son’s will? Was the Son’s will accomplished? Was He successful in the goal?

Answer these questions Biblically and honestly and you too will believe in particular redemption.


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Douglas Newell IV

Six Honest Serving Men

Last weekend I preached at the Ancient Landmark Bible Conference in Lyons, GA. What a wonderful time in the Lord. Great fellowship and great preaching. We truly appreciate the hard work the people of Landmark Baptist Church put into this conference.

That being said, I was unable to post this week much and am now behind. I have had this for a while and I wanted to share it; today would be a great day for this poem. Perhaps if Christians applied this to their Bible study, and preachers to their sermons, there would be a lot less heresy.

I KEEP six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.

I let them rest from nine till five,
For I am busy then,
As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
For they are hungry men.
But different folk have different views;
I know a person small—
She keeps ten million serving-men,
Who get no rest at all!

She sends'em abroad on her own affairs,
From the second she opens her eyes—
One million Hows, two million Wheres,
And seven million Whys!

Rudyard Kipling





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Douglas Newell IV