It’s a snow day today. We woke up to a pretty good blanket of the stuff on the ground and it’s supposed to keep up all day. It’s an absolute mess on the roads which makes me doubly glad that I am able to work from home. It’s a good day to stay in. The kids saw their schools canceled today, so I expect they’ll be heading outdoors soon to have some fun. It’s a good day for that, at least!
I am going to use this Friday, as I sometimes do, to post a few short notes that have been accumulating in my inbox or my favorites folder.
Reformation Trust
At long last and after much encouragement Reformation Trust (the publishing arm of Ligonier Ministries) has given in to the inevitable and has begun listing their books on Amazon. This is good news for those of us who have grown strangely reliant upon Amazon. Most of their catalog is now listed there:
- In Christ Alone
- The Truth of the Cross
- The Lightlings
- Jesus the Evangelist
- Foundations of Grace
- The Expository Genius of John Calvin
- Tabletalk Magazine
The Elisha Foundation
In the past weeks you may have seen advertising on my site for The Elisha Foundation. Over at his unpronounceable blog, Paul (my pastor) has written about the Foundation and why he does all he can to endorse and serve it. “TEF exists to serve parents of kids with special needs – and it does so in the best of ways. Every year, they hold one or two family retreats. These parents are invited to bring their families for a few days of peace as a team of volunteers cares for their special needs child and the rest of their kids. While the kids are being ably cared for, mom and dad are being ministered to. The TEF folks bring in volunteers to lead worship (imagine half an hour of uninterrupted corporate singing!), preach, provide meals, consult on educational, governmental and financial issues and even things like a relaxing manicure for mom! Three days of respite. For some parents, the first such break in many years. Yes, years.”
If you have someone in your family who has special needs, or you know a family that does, why not point them towards The Elisha Foundation? It will be a blessing to them.
Soli Deo Gloria Publications
At Reformation Heritage “Book Talk”, the blog for Reformation Heritage Books, they’ve announced that they have acquired Soli Deo Gloria Publications. “For the past few years, Soli Deo Gloria books have been produced by Ligonier Ministries in Orlando, Florida. In 2007, Ligonier asked Reformation Heritage Books for guidance on managing Soli Deo Gloria Publications and later invited Reformation Heritage Books to publish and distribute the Soli Deo Gloria titles.” This is great news to those who have enjoyed reading the resurgence of Puritan literature.
“Reformation Heritage Books has received nearly 50,000 Soli Deo Gloria books that are currently in print… Plans are under way to publish numerous additional Puritan titles. Reformation Heritage Books has agreed to continue publishing a select number of titles under the Soli Deo Gloria imprint, which Ligonier will continue to advertise in its catalogs; meanwhile, most Soli Deo Gloria titles will now be reprinted with the Reformation Heritage Books imprint. Reformation Heritage Books and Ligonier Ministries look forward to collaborating in order to promote Puritan literature around the world.”
Prayer for Kenya
Jon has shared an article and prayer request for a ministry in Kenya: “My uncle helped found an orphanage in Kenya on an island in Lake Victoria. There are more than 300 kids, many of which were orphaned by the HIV epidemic. Some of the kids are HIV positive. It is without a doubt the most visceral representation I know of what it means to share God’s love. And tonight it might be burned down.”
He shares an article from the director of the orphanage:
Thanks to you and to all our fellow-servants who are in USA for lifting us and our bleeding country to the Lord. After receiving perhaps the most direct and serious threats from the mainlands, to the effect that we the only operating school in our region, I decided to call off my trip to Nairobi by the MAF plane which was coming to pick me. I called all staff and told them about the threats of those who were demanding that we close down or be burnt. I then gave each one room to say what in their view we needed to do and only two people were in favor of closure, with everyone else feeling strongly that we cannot release the children to all the dangers awaiting them outside of the orphanage. We will stay with the children.
Deep inside I am reminded once more that this place is the true home many of these precious jewels of the Lord have. I asked myself, ‘Should I send them out there in the wild, or should I continue God’s work even when it is risky?’ I chose the latter and all I ask for is not sympathy but prayer that God would put his arms around these tender lives. This evening our plea to be allowed to continue serving the orphans for the sake of Christ was aired on the radio. Mention was made of us by name that we should be spared the ordeals going on throughout our country by now.
Tonight the men will be working as guards of children, women and property as a response to the night attacks. We have no weapons but wholly rely on the Lord and the guarding angels of light. May the Lord bless and keep you.
