tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170417672012-02-05T07:13:29.077-06:00Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.comBlogger9101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-91366457549214153112012-02-05T07:11:00.000-06:002012-02-05T07:13:29.086-06:00

“Please pray for me, that I may have both spiritual and physical strength to perform my duties; that I may not only speak the truth but become the truth; that I may not only be called a Christian, but also live like a Christian. Yet I do not want people to look to me as an example, for at best I can only be a pale reflection of Christ Jesus; let people look away from the reflection and turn

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-41525643575820256152012-01-26T13:50:00.001-06:002012-01-26T13:50:53.488-06:00

"It is possible to be perfect - whole, complete, undivided - in our devotion to Him, and if our obedience is always unintentionally limited by matters beyond our control, such as ignorance or imperception, it is nevertheless possible for a person to give an obedience which is perfect, that is, flawless, utterly without blame. However, that kind of heart and that kind of a life are never merely

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-43318902530013444442012-01-26T03:52:00.001-06:002012-01-26T03:52:28.990-06:00

"the holiness which God expects of his people is behavioral, and it is a behavior which cuts right across the grain of life, touching every aspect of it, whether personal, social, moral, civil or religious. When God calls his people to be holy as he is holy, he is not merely asking them to live lives exclusively dedicated to him. Neither is he asking them to be especially religious. Rather, he is

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-3915514125710845172011-12-31T04:35:00.001-06:002011-12-31T04:36:46.871-06:00

"Furthermore, especially [John] Piper (and no doubt other Calvinists) wishes to say that God has genuine compassion on the nonelect for whom Christ did not die as an atoning sacrifice. "There is a general love of God that he bestows on all his creatures," but this is not the love God has for his elect. And, according to Piper, God has sincere compassion even for the nonelect so that he desires

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-68100544328091008082011-12-03T14:34:00.001-06:002011-12-03T14:51:47.368-06:00

I love YouVersion! I have the app on my Android phone, my iPad, and I use it online. I use Youversion for my personal devotions (currently using the One Year Bible plan) and my wife and I started the Rediscovering the Christmas Season plan on December 1. Below is an interesting infographic about YouVersion:

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-62491949756387714242011-11-19T19:05:00.001-06:002011-11-19T19:07:11.863-06:00

"What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear to this day, is want of reading. I scarce ever knew a preacher read so little. And perhaps, by neglecting it, you have lost the taste for it. Hence your talent in preaching does not increase. It is just the same as it was seven years ago. It is lively, but not deep; there is little variety, there is no compass of thought. Reading

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-90253194459113165692011-11-09T17:42:00.002-06:002011-11-09T17:42:28.766-06:00

Today I was reading John Wesley's sermon on "The Original, Nature, Property, and Use of the Law" (sermon #34). Below is Wesley's concluding point of the message. I believe that the use of the Law is absolutely essential for the reasons he stated. One of my concerns for the Church today is the scarcity of emphasis on repentance. One cannot be saved unless they repent and how can they repent

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-87077100781944508752011-11-05T23:06:00.000-05:002011-11-05T23:06:38.187-05:00

“According to my judgement the most important point to be attended to is this: above all things see to it that your souls are happy in the Lord. Other things may press upon you, the Lord's work may even have urgent claims upon your attention, but I deliberately repeat, it is of supreme and paramount importance that you should seek above all things to have your souls truly happy in God

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-86883526347293736602011-10-17T14:12:00.000-05:002011-10-17T14:12:00.710-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-44867757178486351702011-10-14T12:55:00.000-05:002011-10-14T12:55:31.008-05:00

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-33782125715167058542011-10-04T13:08:00.000-05:002011-10-04T13:08:40.696-05:00

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-12540622846892249882011-09-26T15:35:00.001-05:002011-09-26T15:36:01.854-05:00

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-62842484085468766162011-09-17T22:24:00.000-05:002011-09-17T22:24:15.634-05:00

I'm tired. It's been a long week and a longer day. It's Saturday night and Sunday's coming. Despite my weariness and my overwhelming sense of inadequacy these words by Samuel Chadwick ring true in my own heart. I would rather preach than do anything else I know in this world. I have never missed a chance to preach. I would rather preach than eat my dinner, or have a holiday or anything else

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-39544003308451217152011-09-11T15:37:00.001-05:002011-09-11T15:38:07.127-05:00

According to Winston Churchill: You must sleep sometime between lunch and dinner, and no halfway measures. Take off your clothes and get into bed. That’s what I always do. Don’t think you will be doing less work because you sleep during the day. That’s a foolish notion held by people who have no imaginations. You will be able to accomplish more. You get two days in one—well, at least one and a

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-24080722450960490962011-08-05T15:32:00.002-05:002011-08-05T15:35:11.165-05:00

Roy T. Williams (1883-1946) was an evangelist and General Superintendent of the Nazarene Church. He once said that the only way to avoid having any problems in a church was this: “Don't take in any new members and chloroform the ones you already have. Every person is a potential problem.” Forgive me, I found this humorous ;-)

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-80976331858121791162011-08-04T14:59:00.003-05:002011-08-04T15:00:22.872-05:00

"Wine loosens the tongue, but out flows uninhibited and uncensored gibberish. The Spirit loosens the tongue, too, but there flows communication that edifies others and glorifies God." - Richard S. Taylor

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-19674288886000945582011-08-04T14:45:00.003-05:002011-08-04T14:45:52.599-05:00

"Sin is not a thing. It is a choice, an act of a finite will. It is the suicide of the soul. It can never be a matter of compulsion. It is always avoidable. And it always brings a separation between God and man." W.T. Purkiser

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-86103958811239619572011-08-02T13:51:00.003-05:002011-08-02T13:53:02.306-05:00

“Holiness is the life of God in the soul; the image of God fresh stamped on the heart, an entire renewal of the mind in every temper and thought, after the likeness of Him that created it.” - John Wesley

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-71986190229429920452011-07-23T10:58:00.001-05:002011-07-23T10:58:37.028-05:00

"One of our chief evangelical blind spots has been to overlook the central importance of the church. We tend to proclaim individual salvation without moving on to the saved community. We emphasize that Christ died for us "to redeem us from all iniquity" rather than "to purify for himself a people of his own." We think of ourselves more as "Christians" than as "churchmen," and our message is

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-15601627283199402072011-07-15T10:47:00.004-05:002011-07-15T10:49:01.747-05:00

I've not really been a huge fan of Tim Pawlenty but I do like his most recent ad. The ad is designed to drum up support among the evangelical Republican primary voters in Iowa. It's nice to see a politician who's not ashamed to declare his beliefs and stand by them. We'll see it he continues to do so in the months ahead...

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-57422542872891250222011-07-12T22:44:00.000-05:002011-07-12T22:44:24.921-05:00

“You know why you like to protest? Because whenever you protest, you’re saying you’re not the problem!” This quote is from Paul David Tripp and I got it from an article entitled "The Smokescreen of Protesting." Good thoughts to think about...

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-12288737013526456072011-07-11T23:07:00.001-05:002011-07-11T23:08:11.708-05:00

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-34096716258101188872011-06-28T14:10:00.000-05:002011-06-28T14:10:57.644-05:00

"Legalism is not a matter of being conservative or being strict in your lifesyle. Legalism is an attitude that enjoys rules for their own sake and puts rules above the people they are meant to benefit." - Kenneth Schenck

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-63545112693440966432011-06-27T20:34:00.000-05:002011-06-27T20:34:19.937-05:00

"Holiness is conformity to the nature of God. It is likeness to God as he is revealed in Jesus ... Holiness ... is not maturity, but purity: a clean heart in which the Holy Spirit dwells, filling it with pure, tender, and constant love to God and people." - Samuel Logan Brengle

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-1962160079557041212011-06-27T20:30:00.000-05:002011-06-27T20:30:53.941-05:00

"Holiness is not some lofty experience, unattainable except to those who can leap the stars, but it is rather a lowly experience, which lowly people in the lowly walks of life can share with Jesus, by letting His mind be in them." - Samuel Logan Brengle

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-79152561577803053032011-06-27T20:21:00.001-05:002011-06-27T20:42:31.352-05:00

Samuel Logan Brengle (1860-1936) was a holiness preacher and commissioner in the Salvation Army. He is also one of my favorite authors on the doctrine of entire sanctification and the life of holiness. His books are easily understood and clearly explain the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification. If you have a Kindle you can find many of his books available for $.99 by clicking here.

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-5245001029230171932011-06-27T01:21:00.000-05:002011-06-27T01:21:32.145-05:00

Read the Scripture below from Galatians 5. Which list is your life in? Is the way you respond to issues and problems and disagreements according to the Flesh or the Spirit? When someone does something you don't agree with, how do you respond? Do you respond in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Or do you respond with enmity, strife,

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-23448556838620815862011-06-25T12:38:00.000-05:002011-06-25T12:38:26.205-05:00

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk. This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days. Myth #2 – Introverts are shy. Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-72106522764325724912011-06-20T12:10:00.003-05:002011-06-22T12:46:25.986-05:00

Current free holiness books**:        Cheap holiness books:            Find more by clicking here **I have not read all of these and do not necessarily agree with or endorse all of these books

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-4497780103750809172011-06-20T11:41:00.001-05:002011-06-20T12:11:32.035-05:00

I've been asked several times recently where I find free and cheap books for the Kindle so I thought I would share on my blog where I look for books. Top 100 sellers and free books Click on the various categories to view the top sellers and top free books in each category. Gospel Books They keep the site updated with new free books, cheap books, and books that have been cut in price (deals).

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-18735210519816822452011-06-16T10:09:00.000-05:002011-06-16T10:09:20.422-05:00

I smile to myself this morning as I watch my little girl wandering around our living room. She's figuring things out - exploring her world. And of course she's talking - some words I understand, but most I don't. At times I have to correct her - for her own good of course. But, as I watch her she fills my heart with joy. She's our miracle. There's nothing in the world I would exchange for her -

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-71031419755281142932011-05-17T23:16:00.000-05:002011-05-17T23:16:57.459-05:00

By now you've probably heard of Harold Camping or at least you are probably aware that on May 21, 2011 the rapture is going to take place - that is if you believe Harold Camping. "And now, we have no option. We can't say 'maybe' 'it's possible' 'it looks very probable...' No way! We have to say this is what the Bible teaches! This is fact! May 21, 2011 is the day of the Rapture, it is the day

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-56030003503919942122011-05-03T02:18:00.000-05:002011-05-03T02:18:38.958-05:00

We woke up and got dressed. I went to iron my shirt and met one of the Filipino pastors wives who helps take care of the missionaries here. She offered to iron my shirt and I didn't hardly know what to say. We sat around and talked with R.G. for awhile. Tim and Derron took naps but I stayed up and worked on messages and talked with R.G. Around 4:00 or so we took the tricycles to town and

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-30803878867824258272011-05-03T01:59:00.003-05:002011-05-03T02:03:45.875-05:00

I am keeping a journal for my wife of each days activities while I am in the Philippines for two weeks. She encouraged me to share my journal here so anyone interested can read it. Below is the account of the beginning of my trip... We arrived at the Cincinnati airport at around 8:30 am in order for Michelle to catch her flight to Rapid City S.D. We said goodbye as she went through security with

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-69581365989305157762011-04-21T14:07:00.002-05:002011-04-21T16:24:55.787-05:00

If you have ever struggled with pornography you need to listen to this!

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-58099253239957467232011-04-20T09:27:00.001-05:002011-04-20T09:28:06.991-05:00

You can now get here by entering the url: www.jonearls.com rather than www.jonearls.blogspot.com

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-48163607251305975022011-04-14T00:19:00.002-05:002011-04-14T00:24:16.819-05:00

Laurence Chaderton was a noted preacher and the Master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge England. After preaching for two hours one day he paused for a just a moment and the entire congregation stood up and shouted, "For God's sake go on!" So, he preached for another hour.

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-27253347963333593322011-04-11T23:22:00.000-05:002011-04-11T23:22:50.191-05:00

I signed up to receive this Bible over a year ago when my wife and I were still expecting our first child. I was excited to review a "Dad's Bible" because I was soon to be a Dad for the first time. Unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. I really wanted to like this Bible. However, its taken over a year for me to review this Bible for a reason. Frankly it was just not a Devotional

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-2695426195137524522011-04-05T08:16:00.000-05:002011-04-05T08:16:36.807-05:00

As those of you who attend my church or follow me on Twitter or are my friend of Facebook probably know already, my sister came back to the Lord this past Sunday! God came in a powerful way and moved upon people's hearts in our service. I can assure you that this had nothing to do with the Pastor! Truth be told I had a real struggle as I was preparing to preach my message for Sunday morning.

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-44317599990666735902011-04-02T22:35:00.002-05:002011-04-02T22:55:18.124-05:00

I recently heard this song for the first time and I really appreciate the song and the message of it. The story behind the song is really moving...

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-28733443773309632882011-03-26T15:08:00.001-05:002011-03-26T15:09:36.973-05:00

Penn (of Penn & Teller comedy show) was given a Bible. Penn (by his own admission) is an atheist. Do you care enough to proselytize?

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-1209511130731179482011-03-17T10:31:00.000-05:002011-03-17T10:31:45.021-05:00

“The greatest peril for a preacher is wanting the acceptance and approval of his listeners. This is a serious thing that we have been called to and we will regularly have to say things that our culture thinks is foolish and the religious find offensive.” Matt Chandler

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-34887268069558393162011-03-14T07:00:00.004-05:002011-03-14T07:00:06.081-05:00

It's that time again! Only this year the Buckeyes are going to win it all! For the past few years I had a March Madness Pick'Em group and once again here's the link. This year I'm going to give the winner the incredible prize of a $10 gift card to McDonalds!! So, sign up now before it's too late! Since the Buckeyes are going to win it all the password is "gobucks".

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-89079837893223159382011-02-16T08:44:00.000-06:002011-02-16T08:44:01.759-06:00

I really enjoyed reading the "Jesus Manifesto: Restoring the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ" by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola. The authors contend that the body of Christ is at a crossroads - one in which people are having trouble seeing the divine in Christ. The author's contend that "the gospel so often preached today lacks a revelation of Jesus Christ. The contemporary gospel boils

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-55112815069577630462011-01-23T22:09:00.000-06:002011-01-23T22:09:31.290-06:00

"Why does the Church stay indoors? They have a theology that has dwindled into a philosophy, in which there is no thrill of faith, no terror of doom and no concern for souls. Unbelief has put out the fires of passion, and worldliness garlands the altar of sacrifice with the tawdry glitter of unreality. The Holy Ghost cannot conquer the world with unbelief, nor can He save the world with a

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-64337430186213446512011-01-01T15:02:00.002-06:002011-01-01T15:03:36.305-06:00

Pastor Steve Weaver has a great post about Jonathan Edwards resolutions over at his blog. He summarized Edwards many resolutions into 5 broad categories which I believe I will adopt as my resolutions for 2011: Resolve to Do All for God’s Glory (1, 4, 23) 1 Cor. 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  Resolve to Live in Order to Die Well (5, 6

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-45318919519737367042010-12-30T07:47:00.001-06:002010-12-30T16:28:42.104-06:00

Many thoughts come to mind while watching this. Obviously I'm filled with immense sadness that the life of an unborn baby was taken. I'm outraged that the murder of innocent babies is legal in our nation. It's also upsetting that MTV obviously has an agenda with this show and that is to make abortion more acceptable and the "loving" thing to do. It's also extremely sad that in our nation

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-24601409069222572010-12-26T23:11:00.000-06:002010-12-26T23:11:57.187-06:00

“The whole design of God was to restore man to his image, and raise him from the ruins of his fall; in a word, to make him perfect; to blot out all his sins, purify his soul, and fill him with all holiness, so that no unholy temper, evil desire, or impure affection or passion shall either lodge or have any being within him. This and this only is true religion, or Christian perfection; and a less

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-40654215737544789442010-12-25T13:05:00.000-06:002010-12-25T13:05:44.990-06:00

Not long after moving to Tarrant a couple of guys from the Church decided to try to record a message from the Pastor for the Church website. This is what happened... Needless to say we had not really prepared anything beforehand for what I would say...I also discovered I do NOT have a future career in Hollywood! The same two zealous men who talked me into this mess decided to make this video.

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-51297264624126573282010-12-22T12:49:00.000-06:002010-12-22T12:49:39.437-06:00

More good stuff from Ben Witherington today on "A Normal Christian Life": ...There is no spiritual formation practice more important than the active loving of God with whole heart and neighbor and others as self. And the interesting by-product of such loving is that we become holy people, we become set apart for God, we become like God who is both holy and love. God is not holiness without love

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-60524915850483753802010-12-21T21:18:00.002-06:002010-12-21T21:20:47.729-06:00

...we do not have to do our spiritual formation alone. For one thing, God is already at work in us to will and to do. For another thing we have been joined to a body of believers by God's Spirit and they are all on the same pilgrimage. Spiritual formation is chiefly part of body life, part of things we do together. We should not be putting ourselves on a guilt trip if we don't have time to

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-27580731349899427972010-12-05T06:47:00.000-06:002010-12-05T06:47:56.235-06:00

As Francis Asbury drew closer to the end of his life his health was in terrible condition, however he refused to quit preaching. His traveling companion reflected, "Such was the shattered state of his lungs in the latter part of his life, that it afflicted him very much to preach: especially to large congregations. His cough was always greatly irrited by it." Asbury said, "Ah! I may always

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-6438728736057604672010-11-09T14:28:00.001-06:002010-11-09T14:33:53.082-06:00

I'm looking forward to reading his book but below is an interview of George W. Bush about some of the decisions he had to make during his presidency.

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-84262055398014371132010-11-01T12:31:00.002-05:002010-11-01T12:41:27.141-05:00

The inaugural issue of Fotia is now available. Fotia is an online journal for church leaders and students in the conservative holiness movement that addresses topics of interest and challenges that church leaders face in the twenty-first century. The primary audience is within the conservative holiness movement. I am a contributing editor to Fotia and wrote an article on "The History and

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-49527198510662772342010-10-01T08:32:00.000-05:002010-10-01T08:32:07.951-05:00

HT: Arminian Today

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-75799386200902000332010-09-30T10:31:00.000-05:002010-09-30T10:31:03.630-05:00

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-39334474337902845412010-09-29T12:05:00.000-05:002010-09-29T12:05:19.597-05:00

"Christian's sin. Okay!? And we hate all sin and just because we do a sin that we decry does not mean that we are hypocrites. It means that we are Christians! And once again I ask myself the question: do people understand the Gospel?" - Todd Friel on Wretched Radio 9/28/2010

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-42806866808982048842010-09-20T18:21:00.002-05:002010-09-20T22:52:33.588-05:00

Here are a few posts I’ve found interesting recently and so I’m passing them along to you.** Bill Mounce wonders what constitutes an accurate translation The Orthodox Church affirms Conditional Security Thom Rainer tells why church guests return Roger Olson writes about Two opposite forces pulling evangelicals (and others) apart Should Christian’s practice Yoga? Albert Mohler answers Adam

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-70173837194294101582010-09-12T19:53:00.002-05:002010-09-12T19:58:36.127-05:00

Sometimes the truth of creation is so amazing and obvious that even the evolutionists slip up and admit it

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-31371550139180610392010-09-12T08:12:00.001-05:002010-09-12T08:12:07.886-05:00

On September 12, 1729 John William Fletcher was born. Fletcher was a contemporary of John Wesley, a strong proponent of Wesleyan theology, and one of Methodism's first great theologians. John Wesley had this to say about John Fletcher: “An obedience discovered itself in Fletcher of Madeley, which I wish I could describe or imitate.” Wesley had picked Fletcher to succeed him as the leader of the

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-83412593138240170032010-09-09T06:35:00.003-05:002010-09-09T06:41:30.590-05:00

It’s been a long time since my last “Tag along Tuesday Thursday” post in which I share some posts from other blogs that I’ve found interesting**. Since my daughter has had me up since an insanely early hour I have time to post them so here goes: Jeremy Pierce shares some things he hates about worship songs Got worship? Eating steak on a paper plate How to Become a Successful Religion What’s wrong

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-14626527672984086982010-09-08T13:10:00.001-05:002010-09-08T13:10:47.642-05:00

"God is a Spirit, holy in nature and attributes, absolute in reality, infinite in efficiency, perfect in personality, and thereby the ultimate ground, adequate cause and sufficient reason for all finite existence." H. Orton Wiley

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-65624708640232007342010-09-07T19:39:00.000-05:002010-09-07T19:39:42.054-05:00

"Do you love the Lord's appearing? Then you will bend every effort to take the gospel into all the world. It troubles me in the light of the clear teaching of God's Word, in the light of our Lord's explicit definition of our task in The Great Commission, that we take it so lightly...His is the kingdom; He reigns in heaven, and He manifest His reign on earth in and through His church. When we have

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-43109431580676522652010-09-07T11:50:00.000-05:002010-09-07T11:50:40.469-05:00

"The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world." - John Piper

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-1319548767847607722010-08-26T16:24:00.002-05:002010-08-26T16:24:55.338-05:00

She always wins! ;-)

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-84028233016178767702010-08-21T14:35:00.001-05:002010-08-21T14:35:08.639-05:00

According to Charles Spurgeon here are five ways we take the mercy of God for granted: By allowing it to remain, unnoticed, ungratefully passing it over. By claiming it as our due, and talking as if God were bound to bear with us. By opposing its design, and refusing to repent (Prov. 1:24-25). By perverting it into a reason for hardness of heart, presumption, infidelity, and

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-52535106234082076822010-08-13T11:05:00.002-05:002010-08-13T11:05:35.926-05:00

"You might as well try to see without eyes, hear without ears, or breathe without lungs, as to try to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit" Dwight L. Moody

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-42641531215641213782010-07-09T16:33:00.000-05:002010-07-09T16:33:41.341-05:00

...courtesy of the ever intrusive Google Street View: View Larger Map

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-74235754651228019992010-07-07T09:44:00.000-05:002010-07-07T09:44:00.369-05:00

"The machine-gun hermeneutic is essentially an argument from verbosity using Scriptural quotations. I could break down the entire chapter of Hebrews 10, and demonstrate how the entire context, as well as the intention of the entire book, demonstrate that it is possible that a true believer can fall away from the faith. Then the Calvinist responds by quoting 5 Scripture verses, without

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-74432008306694175732010-06-06T13:06:00.000-05:002010-06-06T13:06:59.862-05:00

President Ronald Reagan gives a speech on June 6, 1984 on the 40th anniversary of D-Day. This is how a President should talk about America while on foreign soil, this is the right approach to war, and this is how a real speech is given! Oh for a President like Ronald Reagan again!!

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-74366724426981475422010-05-21T07:14:00.000-05:002010-05-21T07:14:40.577-05:00

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-38793376550460561442010-05-19T22:52:00.001-05:002010-05-19T22:58:19.488-05:00

This is terrible but I can't resist posting this...someone forwarded this to me via email and most of the time I hate emails that have be endlessly forwarded but this one cracked me up! Have you ever slapped your forehead and asked yourself, “Just how did this happen?”

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-5370232511482412162010-05-17T12:35:00.000-05:002010-05-17T12:35:53.791-05:00

Born on May 17, 2010 at 4:18am. 6.157 pounds ~ 18 inches tall. After trying for over seven years to get pregnant God chose to bless us with a beautiful little girl for which we are extremely grateful to Him! What may seem to be impossible to man is possible with God!!

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-77124284823936997902010-05-12T11:49:00.000-05:002010-05-12T11:49:34.752-05:00

I'm studying for a sermon for Sunday and reading some of the early church leaders letters. I was just reading a letter from Ignatius to Polycarp and came across this admonition from Ignatius to Polycarp: I exhort thee in the grace wherewith thou art clothed to press forward in thy course and to exhort all men that they may be saved. (emphasis mine)I couldn't help but think that apparently

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-29863892670261126052010-05-08T08:19:00.001-05:002010-05-08T08:21:16.688-05:00

I've been reading with interest Ken Schenck's posts this week about the possibility of "The Great Merger of Wesleyanism." According to Schenck a recent report of the meeting of the General Board of Administration of The Wesleyan Church included the following: Approved a resolution authorizing the Board of General Superintendents to pursue further discussions with other like-minded holiness

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-19761904722605559092010-05-07T13:03:00.001-05:002010-05-07T13:07:35.033-05:00

If you have ever watched or attended most contemporary church services you will understand why this video is so funny and true because it describes most of them to the "T"!

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-57457319916820050432010-05-06T08:13:00.000-05:002010-05-06T08:13:45.453-05:00

So I'm a little behind this week... Here's some links you might find interesting: The "Seeking Disciple" has some great thoughts on "Evangelism, Cults, and the Seeker Movement" over at the Arminian Today 7 Thoughts on Reading the Bible by J.C. Ryle A sad article about preachers who don't believe what the preach..."One pastor, a Methodist, said he no longer believes that God exists, but his

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-43341002716081931252010-05-03T19:31:00.001-05:002010-05-03T19:31:36.264-05:00

...you need to vote for Don Bates Jr. I know him personally - he's a great conservative Christian man and would make a tremendous United States Senator!

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-7420845305607234202010-04-27T15:52:00.002-05:002010-04-27T16:01:08.678-05:00

Welcome to my second weekly Tag-Along Tuesday where I share some random posts, sites, etc. that I've come across in my reading over the past week and you might find interesting: Religion According to Google  Need to wake up? You could use Kuku klock A Preacher with his God Approaching the Pulpit: A Preacher With His Notes. I'm fascinated with how other preachers prepare their sermons and

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-71136635117669313982010-04-27T10:47:00.003-05:002010-04-27T10:54:38.299-05:00

Recently I read "Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul" for the second time. Actually, the edition I read this time was the "Revised and Expanded" edition which has recently been released as a 10th anniversary update to the original "Wild at Heart." To be honest it's been so long since I read the original "Wild at Heart" that I'm not sure which parts of this new "Revised and

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-44502759806027904232010-04-26T09:42:00.002-05:002010-04-26T10:02:14.028-05:00

By now you've probably heard about the contemporary Christian singer Jennifer Knapp who has publicly announced that she is a lesbian. Not too long ago Ray Boltz also "came out" that he was a homosexual. Today the point of my blog is not really to address them and their sin; for what the Bible teaches about homosexuality is very clear. What I want to address in this post is what I think is a

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-80976636784236388772010-04-23T12:21:00.000-05:002010-04-23T12:21:49.927-05:00

“Where Christian perfection is not strongly and explicitly preached, there is seldom any remarkable blessing from God; and consequently, little life in the members of it.” - John Wesley

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-21255478341517980762010-04-20T13:08:00.002-05:002010-04-20T13:14:04.933-05:00

I've decided to add a regular feature to my blog where once a week on Tuesday's I'll share some links to some interesting posts, sites, etc that might be worth your time checking out. I've calling this feature "Tag-Along Tuesday's" because I'm having you "tag-along" to some of the things I'm reading and doing and because I can't think of anything better to call it. So here goes: John Starke

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-66369122454783893132010-04-19T09:31:00.000-05:002010-05-09T15:55:12.488-05:00

Yesterday in Sunday School we got into a discussion about the prosperity gospel. I've shared my disgust with the prosperity gospel on my blog before, but I thought I share my opinion again. The first video below is a short documentary about how the prosperity gospel is effecting Africa. The second video is by John Piper and it summarizes very well how I feel about the prosperity gospel. The third

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-18021324886516342632010-04-17T22:29:00.002-05:002010-04-17T22:37:55.609-05:00

Some time ago I blogged about my wife's surprise encounter with a possum in the middle of the night. Tonight I finally got the possum. It had been living very well off of our cat food. Don't know how much it weighed but it was very large! (I am now my wife's hero) ;-) Sorry for the gross pic :-)

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-27779546208612966212010-04-15T07:25:00.000-05:002010-04-15T07:25:16.901-05:00

April 15 is known for a lot of things - mostly for being the dreaded "Tax Day." But on April 15, 1947 something else happened. I'm a huge baseball fan (go Braves!) and on April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball becoming the first black man to play in the Major Leagues. He went on to have a stellar career and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Today ever player in the MLB

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-50300733406373388972010-04-06T14:58:00.000-05:002010-04-06T14:58:45.576-05:00

If you even slightly pay attention to sports you know that this years NCAA tournament was absolutely crazy! Duke won it all (unfortunately) and they were a #1 seed but that was the only "normal" thing that happened in the tournament. For a long time things were looking good for me. I was first in our Tourney Pick'em group and seemingly sitting pretty - then the bottom fell out and I of course

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-1511176911651781822010-03-30T17:13:00.003-05:002010-03-30T17:19:40.524-05:00

Below is a copy of an anonymous letter I received today - with my response Dear Mr. Anonymous Racist, I received your letter in the mail today (I have also received your previous ones). Since you did not include your name or address I thought it best that I post my reply to your letter online. I want to thank you for your letter because once again, after reading it, God reminded me that the

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-58687285063766963792010-03-20T15:26:00.006-05:002010-03-22T09:49:27.912-05:00

I was sent the book "Your Church is Too Small: Why Unity in Christ's Mission is Vital to the Future of the Church" for free if I would review it on my blog. My review does not have to be positive which unfortunately it is not for this book. First of all this book is not about church growth, attendance, or the physical size of church buildings. The author John H. Armstrong explained what he

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-61840016272886156842010-03-18T07:36:00.000-05:002010-03-18T07:36:16.699-05:00

Not long ago I received the book “Your Church is Too Small” by John H. Armstrong in the mail for free in exchange for a review on my blog. Due to my recent sickness I’ve not quite completed the book so keep checking back I will post my review as soon as I’m able to complete it.

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-58092182258058840892010-03-17T15:53:00.001-05:002010-03-17T15:53:22.850-05:00

I’ve been terribly sick since Sunday evening. So far this week I’ve spent the majority of my time in bed. I don’t remember a time in my life when I’ve ever been as sick as I’ve been this week. Fever, chills, vomiting, etc. is what I’ve been dealing with all week. And I’ve not been able to talk…well I can talk but only ever third word or so is understandable. This has all caused me to do some

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-2269476320086217252010-03-15T00:30:00.000-05:002010-03-15T00:30:24.935-05:00

For the last couple of years I've had a March Madness Pick'em group. I think every year I've wound up in last place but I've had great fun doing it! If you'd like to join this years group click here. A couple of years ago I gave away some books to the winner. Last year I was too cheap. This year we'll see. Perhaps I'll offer something to the winner but right now it's 1:30 in the morning I can't

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-72096441671685987002010-03-09T08:37:00.003-06:002010-03-15T16:39:03.217-05:00

I drive past it several times a day. It’s a beautiful church - a brick building (I love brick buildings) with a separate large fellowship hall. The church resides on a nice lot in a great part of our town. Very few cars ever enter its paved parking lot. A sign on the front of the glass doors to the sanctuary inform anyone trying to enter that the Sunday service is no longer held in the sanctuary

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-47499420344901991532010-03-08T18:19:00.001-06:002010-03-08T18:19:31.437-06:00

According to a tweet today from Essential Church (Rainer Research) "The formerly unchurched are insistent that the church be uncompromising in its beliefs. They are tired of a theologically tolerant culture." This is a positive sign and should encourage we who are part of the conservative holiness movement to be who we are and stand for the Truth of God’s Word. Obviously we should be

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-20886553057646974862010-03-07T19:15:00.001-06:002010-03-07T19:54:24.675-06:00

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-34224405539566780992010-02-28T15:04:00.002-06:002010-02-28T15:06:02.044-06:00

This morning I announced to my church that I would be leaving at the end of this Conference year. This has been one of the most agonizing decisions I’ve ever had to make. It was difficult, not because I didn’t know what the will of the Lord was, but because of the love I have for the people of my church. For nearly eight years I have served as their Pastor. When we first came to our church my

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-23394509004425500902010-02-25T19:16:00.003-06:002010-02-25T19:20:55.985-06:00

Over at the Arminian Today blog there’s a great post today entitled “We'll Do Anything To AVOID Evangelism.” The author makes some great points in his article and I confess that I have been guilty far too many times. For example: a couple of weeks ago I was flying home after speaking at a youth convention about witnessing and while aboard the plane I sat next to a man and woman, while their

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-29378042004798664002010-02-25T17:14:00.004-06:002010-02-25T17:22:19.389-06:00

Currently I am reading American Saint: Francis Asbury and the Methodists(which is a great book by the way). Today as I was reading I read how in 1790 African-American's made up 20% of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In some places there was an even greater percentage than this! In the district that Francis Asbury knew the best they represented over 30% of the members in 1787. What is amazing

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-52875866724858557272010-02-20T23:13:00.001-06:002010-02-20T23:13:33.398-06:00

Below is the text from a message I sent out today for all of the Churches and individuals who contributed towards our Church roof project. I thought I would post the message here as well. I really want to let everyone who prayed for us or gave towards the project to know that I appreciate it more than words could ever express! I am truly overwhelmed at the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17041767.post-52091304520411309232010-02-14T07:06:00.001-06:002010-02-14T07:07:10.848-06:00

I’m so thankful for my wonderful wife! She has been such a tremendous support and help to me and I love her more today than I ever have before! I love how two people can become one in marriage and that is exactly what has happened with us. Love you honey!!

Jon Earlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.com0