Peter Lillback at the Circa History Guild

On Friday evening and Saturday morning, Dr. Peter Lillback  spoke at the Circa History Guild about his two books Washington's Sacred Fire and Wall of Misconception.  For those of you who aren't up to reading a 700 page biography of Washington yet, he says they are working on putting out a 200-300 page abridged edition of Sacred Fire. 

Dr. Lillback is the president of Westminster Theological Seminary, Senior Pastor at Proclamation Presbyterian Church, and the Founder/President of The Providence Forum. 

Here's a quote from the introduction to Sacred Fire:

"George Washington's Sacred Fire intends to convince you that when all the available evidence is considered, the only viable conclusion is that George Washington was a Christian and not a Deist.  What enflamed Washington's passion and stirred his heart was that which was sacred to his soul---his utter dependence on the hand of Divine Providence."

Patrick Henry, Forgotten Founding Father

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!" -- Patrick Henry

After hearing Bill Potter's lecture, 'Patrick Henry, Forgotten Founding Father', last weekend at Circa, I started reading David Vaughn's biography of Henry: Give Me Liberty.  I am especially enjoying Part II of the book, The Character of Patrick Henry.

Pressing Into the Kingdom of God

by Jonathan Edwards
"The law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." Luke 16:16

The kingdom of heaven should be sought, first, because of the extreme necessity we are in of getting into the kingdom of heaven. We are in a perishing necessity of it; without it we are utterly and eternally lost. Out of the kingdom of God there is no safety; there is no other hiding place. This is the only city of refuge in which we can be secure. It should be sought, second, because of the shortness and uncertainty of the opportunity for getting into the kingdom. Our day is limited. God has set our bounds, and we know not where. While persons are out of the kingdom, they are in danger every hour of being overtaken with wrath. We know not how soon we shall get past that line. There is much difficulty getting into the kingdom of God. Innumerable difficulties are in the way such as few conquer. Most of them who try do not have resolution, courage, earnestness, and constancy enough; but they fail, give up, and perish. They are turned aside or turn back.
Though it is attended with so much difficulty, yet it is not an impossible thing. God is able to accomplish it, and has sufficient mercy for it; and there is sufficient provision made through Christ that God may do it consistent with the honor of His majesty, justice, and truth. It is fitting that the kingdom should be thus sought because of the great excellency of it. We are willing to seek earthly things of trifling value; it therefore certainly becomes us to seek that with great earnestness which is of infinitely greater worth and excellence.

From Jonathan Edward's sermon entitled "Pressing Into the Kingdom"

Ian Paisley on Standing For God

Young people, if you're going to really stand for God, the fires of slander, the fires of libel, and the fires of opposition will always burn against you. But I'd rather be in the fire with Jesus then be in the throne with a man of sin.

~ Dr. Ian R.K. Paisley
Sermon: Scottish Reformer John Knox

Charles Spurgeon on Serving Christ

"My soul, see to it that thou be at peace with this mighty King, yea, more , be sure to enlist under His banner, for to war against Him is madness, and to serve Him is glory." ~ Charles Spurgeon

A Prayer of Augustine

"You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You."

~ Augustine

Theodore Roosevelt On Senators

"When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.' "

~ Theodore Roosevelt

Churchill On Politics

"Politics are almost as exciting as war and quite as dangerous. In war you can only be killed once, but in politics, many times."

~ Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill On Democracy

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-- Winston Churchill

Washingon's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

"Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness;

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the People of these United States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be;

That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks...for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government...particularly the national one now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed...to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue."