Month: October 2010

The Librarian

The conversation I had with a Librarian this afternoon is typical.

We went to register to the local Library in the center of town. And when the lady saw on the form that I was on minister, she asked if I was going to be working in a church here. I replied positively and explained I was working alongside the pastor of the local Evangelical church. She did not know there was a church here, so I started explaining to her where the church was located. But she almost immediately interrupted me, saying forcefully she was an atheist, and was only interested in religions from a cultural point of view. I wasn’t even trying to witness or anything, just explaining the location.

People here are very uncomfortable with the subject of religion. As soon as it is mentioned, they react in the same way as this lady. It is sad. I am often taken a back by this and I am thinking about the best way to challenge these people.

It reminds me of Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman. When she tried to evade his questions, he had an answer and brought the conversation back to where He wanted it to go. And she was saved. Pray for wisdom and discernment in these conversations.

Sunday guest

Our guest this Sunday lunch time was Pastor Claude Broux. This gentleman started in the ministry in 1949. He has ministered in various places in Brittany before settling down in Guingamp in the early seventies where he planted the church we are now in. He is now 86 and lost his wife last June, after over 60 years of marriage. She was 19 when they met, and he was probably about the same age, or a little older. He is also one of the founding members of France mission in the fifties, and he knew Caradoc Jones who was still in Paimpol when he came to Brittany. He described him as very old school Englishman. Probably true although Caradoc Jones was a Welshman.

It was humbling to talk with this elderly brother who has got so much experience. We talked about many different things: his youth, the beginnings of the church, his children (he has got 8), his Grandchildren (33 of them), and great-grandchildren (8 altogether). He shared about his conversion, his time in a children home in Ferney-Voltaire (we lived there)… He doesn’t preach anymore, but attends faithfully the meetings of the church, seating on the front row every Sunday. He was glad of Esther’s arrival as until we came he was the only person who could play the piano, and did not feel very confident about it.

It is a great privilege to have him as an Elder in our church.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-10-03

  • Preaching on Psalm 3: Comfort and rest in adversity. #
  • Haven't seen so much rain for years. Even in Wels it doesn't rain non-stop all day. #
  • Mais toi, Eternel! Tu es pour moi un bouclier, Tu es ma gloire, et tu relèves ma tête. Ps 3:4 #
  • Sermon prep and babysitting. Not sure they are compatible, but we'll try. #
  • Sermon prep and Bible study this afternoon (led by my colleague). #
  • Looking forward to receive two Irish missionaries coming for lunch today. #

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Westminster Shorter Catechism Flash Cards

A few years ago, I learned the shorter catechism. It was a worthwhile exercise, but needs constant practice. I just found someone who has mad a set of flash cards, ready to print to help learning the 107 questions. To find these, follow the link: Westminster Shorter Catechism Flash Cards | D A N G I T B I L L !.

Knowing the catechism proves helpful in many circumstances: when listening to sermons, when preaching, doing Bible studies, talking with a fellow Christian… Reading through Stuart Olyott’s “Preaching pure and simple”, I could see the influence of the shorter catechism on more than one occasions when he explains some doctrines.

Singing Psalms

In our family worship, we’ve started learning some Psalms from the Huguenot Psalter. It is a great exercise, and a real help to grasp the message of these Psalms, and a tool to meditate on them later. The tunes are easy to remember, and can be sung without accompaniment (which is a change from modern tunes). Here is the first Psalm in modern French.

1. L’homme qui fuit le conseil des trompeurs
Sans s’arrêter au chemin des pécheurs
Ni sur le banc où les moqueurs s’asseyent
Mais que la Loi du Seigneur émerveille
(Loi dont il est jour et nuit désireux),
Certainement, celui-là est heureux!
2. Il semblera un arbre grand et beau,
Planté le long d’un clair courant ruisseau;
En sa saison, on voit le fruit qu’il porte
Sans que jamais sa feuille tombe morte.
Le vrai croyant et tout ce qu’il fera
A l’avenir toujours prospérera.
3. Mais les pervers n’auront pas ces vertus;
Ils deviendront semblables aux fétus,
A la poussière au gré du ven chassée…
Aussi leur cause sera renversée
Au Jugement, quand tous ces réprouvés
Au rang des bons ne seront pas trouvés.
4. Car l’Eternel connaît les hommes droits,
Prenant soin d’eux sur le chemin étroit;
Ils recevront le vrai bonheur qui dure.
Une autre voie aux pécheurs semble sûre,
Mais les voilà dans la direction
Où, avec leurs projets, ils périront.

You can listen to the tune here.