Peter N Millward

Saturday, 26 October 2019

Vision of the Bonsai Church

Vision of the Bonsai Church

.........At that point in the middle of the redwood forest, Chris had a vision. Now, when I say vision, it wasn't anything otherworldly. Jesus didn’t appear in a blinding light. An angel didn't show up dressed like a warrior with a scroll in his hands. This was all in Chris’s mind - one of his powerful spiritual insights. In the vision, Chris was on a guided tour of a popular megachurch campus. The pastor, excited about his wonderful church, was leading Chris around, showing him the facility and commenting on all the great things that God was doing there. When the pastor got to the sanctuary and opened the doors, Chris was shocked at what he saw. The pews were packed out, but in each seat, instead of a person there was a bonsai tree - thousands of bonsai trees. Each little tree represented a member of the church. The staff, all paid professionals, were running around frantically pouring tiny thimbles of water into them. Other staff were trimming the bonsais with pruning shears, making sure they all looked alike and stayed the size they were. There seemed to be a lot of twisting and manipulating going on in an effort to maintain them. It was obvious that the staff was way overworked, exhausted, and stressed.

When Chris stepped out of the building and looked back, the whole church was a massive greenhouse for growing bonsais. Above it was a sign that read, “The Bonsai Church.” Chris realized the bonsai trees were so completely dependent on the greenhouse environment, the professional clergy feeding them and tending them, that they would not survive if taken outside of the greenhouse. They were tiny and being kept that way. All growth revolved around church programs and activities. Outside of the greenhouse, the bonsais had little or no impact on the environment. Instead, the environment impacted them negatively. Many wilted and died, unable to withstand the brutal climate - winds, storms, heat, fires. On the other hand, the mature redwoods that Chris was experiencing in the forest actually created their own climate by the power of being what they were meant to be.

There are reasons why redwoods impact environments instead of environments impacting them. It doesn't just happen.

First redwoods are relational. As forests, they thrive in community with roots that go down deep and intertwine with the other redwoods for extra strength. Being connected is vital to other redwoods for extra strength. Being connected is vital to their survival. When storms hit, they support and anchor one another. Why do you think they live to be thousands of years old? A bonsai’s roots, however, are shallow because they are in the pot all the time and can’t get connected to anything on a deeper level. In fact, bonsai roots are trimmed so they won’t break out of the pot. Sunday pews have defined their community. Let’s go to church sing some songs, hear a sermon, hug some folks, and go home…..and oh, don't forget to tithe. Bonsai trees’ shallow root system keeps them in a dwarfed shape. It’s the religious system versus an authentic relationship with Jesus. The latter allows God to occupy our lives 24/7 and move into deeper relationship with others, which challenges the issues in our lives. While going to church is important, church won’t sustain you.

From the book by author Max Davis - When Jesus was a Green Eyed Brunette

Peter N Millward 0

Christian Education - Resuscitating the Canary"

Christian Education - Resuscitating the Canary

(At the Coal face of Education)

"Wiktionary - An allusion to caged canaries (birds) that miners would carry down into the mine tunnels with them. If dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide collected in the mine, the gases would kill the canary before killing the miners, thus providing a warning to exit the tunnels immediately."

"Judging by how things are in most places - it looks like business as usual, or trying to…..but it would appear over the last 50 or so years - For all the truck loads of message tapes, books, dvds, conferences, seminars, worship bands, technology, celebrities etc - it looks pretty much like many churches developed a system which devoted itself to tucking itself up on a bed of comfort and ease…

A church system creating generations of Bonsai Christians more dependent on leaders and pastors than standing up on their own two feet of faith and reaching their full stature in Jesus Christ. That will be hitting the bullseye for some of you reading this... because we all know places and churches run exactly like this..but there is no such thing as Christianity by proxy in the Kingdom God.. we all are called to seek God for the plans and callings He has for each of our lives. We are all called to hold the line…...and it would appear desperately few really are holding the line, and will be fewer still as the older generation of Christians pass on.

And the word for the “Church” today is - Repent - The Church belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only! We only have to read through the book of Revelation to realise how serious the Lord takes this.

Going by what has happened the last 50 yrs one thing is for sure the church cannot go on sleepwalking into a future pretending everything is fine - will it be fine in say 10 - 20yrs time? are we going to be like selfish King Hezekiah - when the prophet spoke of a future generation taken into captivity?. The king was reassured bad things wouldn't happen in his lifetime. I wonder how King Hezekiah feels now looking from eternity?

Our children, and grandchildren will not thank us for being too nice, timid, tame, too at home and comfortable, friendly with the world...to make a difference for Jesus Christ in our generation.

What built great nations 200 years ago or more was built on the foundation of Christian education embedded in the worldview, laws and fabric of those nations…..and it was built on the back of martyrs who fearlessly translated the Bible and the faithful who obeyed it - we are kidding ourselves if we think we are equal to their faith back then - their faith went through the fire and turned the world upside down…. What does our faith do exactly today? Is it too late?

And if anyone thinks this is extreme...I doubt very much Jesus Christ would agree…..I rather think He would like it to stay in the minds and hearts of all who read this…..

As Leonard Ravenhill once wrote, "Five minutes inside eternity and we will wish that we had sacrificed more, wept more, grieved more, loved and prayed more, and given more."
and that dear friends is exactly why I write this…….. Has the canary snuffed it? Is it on life support? Who do you think is the canary? Take a look in the mirror - and you may see "

Peter N Millward 0

Sunday, 20 October 2019

Remembrance 23:43

The Gospel Lifeboat

The Gospel Lifeboat - Click image for Prints cards and much more

THE GOSPEL LIFEBOAT or, Salvation for the Perishing.

A New Edition based on the Original “Gospel Lifeboat” circa early 1900s produced for The Lighthouse Literature Mission – Samuel H. Strain, Director. “The Lighthouse” Belfast, Ireland.

This new edition of “The Gospel Lifeboat” we hope will be a fitting memorial and remembrance of the valuable work and ministry of the Lighthouse Literature Mission and Samual H Strain who founded it in 1904. During his lifetime, Mr Strain maintained communication with hundreds of Lighthouse keepers and their families all over the world for 36 years, supplying much needed parcels and literature to those engaged in this lonely and at times perilous enterprise of Lightkeeping.

The Gospel Lifeboat Picture - Most people when they hear or read about lifeboats, will think of the amazing and courageous work of the Lifeboat service – The RNLI – Royal National Lifeboat Institution. But many may not realise of another intrigueing application for the lifeboat – A spiritual one! Little information is available about how the picture came about…..Although Charles Spurgeon was often using mariner metaphors in his sermons and gave the sermon illustration of the "Gospel Lifeboat" delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington 1862 “Yet There is Room” This was eventually published in 1910 and it may well have inspired the designer of the original “Gospel Lifeboat” published for the LLM.

From Charles Spurgeon's Sermon 1862 -

“Here is another picture. There has been a wreck out there upon the coast. The ship has struck upon the rocks and she is fast going to pieces. Some of the poor mariners are clinging to the mast—they have been hanging there for hours. Heavy seas have broken over them and they can hardly retain their hold. Some of the crew have already become exhausted and have fallen off into the deep—and the others who are clinging for dear life are almost frozen with cold! But look there—a rocket goes up—they believe that they have been spotted and, after a while, they see that a lifeboat is coming to their rescue! Perhaps the brave men give a cheer as they row with all their might to let the poor shipwrecked sailors know that there is help at hand. As the lifeboat comes nearer, its captain cries, “Oh, what a lot of men! What can we do with so many? We will take as many of you as we can, but there is not room for all.” The men are helped off the wreck, one after the other, until they seem to fill the boat. Each man’s place has two crammed into it, but at last the captain says, “It’s no use. We can’t take any more. Our boat is so full that she’ll go down if we put in another man.” It’s all over with those poor souls that must be left behind, for before the gallant boat can make another trip, they must all have fallen into the waves of the sea and been lost.

But I have no such sad tale to tell you tonight, for my Master’s gospel lifeboat has thus far taken in but few compared with those she will yet take! I know not how many she will hold, but this I do know, that a multitude which no man can number shall be found within her and, amid songs of everlasting joy, they shall all be safely landed on the blessed shore where rocks and tempests will never again trouble them! The lifeboat is not yet full—there is still room in her for all who will trust in Jesus! Poor mariner, give up clinging to that wreck on the rocks! Poor sinner, give up clinging to your works and to your sins! There is room in the gospel lifeboat for you and all who will put themselves under the care of the great captain of salvation, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Source - www.spurgeongems.org

The Gospel Lifeboat

The Gospel Lifeboat Rescueing the Lost

There is no information when Samual H. Strain of the LLM would have had the design of the “Gospel Lifeboat” published. But must be sometime after 1904. The LLM also published the Lightkeeper magazine which ran from about 1909 till 1911.

An interesting feature is the many scripture references which help us to understand and see what the Gospel Lifeboat is all about. Excellent for Bible study, Churches and Youth Groups. Placed at the entrance of churches and fellowships it is sure to focus hearts and minds on the Great Commission.

A number of Gospel themed lithographs have been made during the Victorian era with connections to the sea – The Gospel Compass and The Bible Wheel are among those which are also available.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Gospel Lifeboatmen

Another Sermon by Charles H Spurgeon using the illustration of the Lifeboat.

A Sermon Delivered On Sunday Morning, January 6, 1861, By Pastor C. H. Spurgeon. At Exeter Hall, Strand.

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. (Col 4:2) 14. 3.

....................."Thirdly, continue in prayer, because souls shall be saved as the result of your entreaties. Can you stand on the beach for a moment,—you can scarcely see, but yet you may discern by the lights of lanterns, various brave men launching the lifeboat. It is out—they have taken their seats; helmsman and rowers, all strong hearts, determined to save their fellows or to perish. They have gotten far away now into the midst of the billows and we have lost sight of them, but in spirit we will take our stand in the midst of the boat. What a sea rolled in just then! If she were not built for such weather, she would surely have been overturned. See that tremendous wave, and how the boat leaps like a seabird over its crest. See now again, it has plunged into a dreary furrow, and the wind, like some great plough, turns up the water on either side as though it were clods of mould. Surely the boat will find her grave, and be buried in the sheet of foam;—but no, she comes out of it, and the dripping men draw a long breath. But the mariners are discouraged, they have strained themselves bending those oars, and they would turn back, for there is small hope of living in such a sea, and it is hardly possible that they will ever reach the wreck. But the brave captain cries out, “Now, my bold lads, for God’s sake, send her on! A few more pulls of the oar and we shall be alongside; the poor fellows will be able to hold on a minute or two longer, now pull for dear life.” See how the boat leaps, see how she springs as though she were a living thing, a messenger of mercy intent to save. Again, he says “Once more, once again, and we will do it,”—no, she has been dashed aside from the ship for a moment, that sea all but did her in, but the helmsman turns her around, and the captain cries, “Now, my boys, once more;” and every man pulls with lusty sinews, and the poor shipwrecked ones are saved. Indeed, it is just so with us now. Long have Christ’s ministers, long have Christ’s Church pulled with the gospel lifeboat, let us pull again. Every prayer is a fresh stroke of the oar, and all of you are oarsmen. Yes, you feeble women, you confined to your beds, confined to your bedrooms, who can do nothing else but pray, you are all oarsmen in this great boat. Pull yet once more, and this week let us drive the boat ahead, and it may be it will be the last tremendous struggle that shall be required, for sinners shall be saved, and the multitude of the redeemed shall be completed. Not us, but grace shall do the work, yet is it ours to be workers for God."

Source - www.spurgeongems.org

Peter N Millward 0

Tuesday, 1 October 2019

Antique Prints 17:00

Der Breite und der Schmale Weg Litho - Alexander Gysin, Basel

Prints and Posters available

Der Breite und der Schmale Weg Litho - Alexander Gysin, Basel

Modern German Translation - Gerda Dinwiddie, alteschrift.com

Der breite und schmale Weg nach den Worten unseres Heilandes Jesu Christi zur ernstlichen Betrachtung der Menschheit gegenwartiger Zeit bildlich dargestellt. Math. Cp 7 v.13.14.

(Text translated below image) The broad and narrow way, pictured in the words of our Savior Jesus Christ for the serious consideration of mankind at the present time. Mathew. Cp 7 v.13.14”

The print is somewhere around the 1840s A number of prints by different artists and designers were made during the period depicting the Broad and Narrow Way. This particular design can be seen in similar versions and could be one of the best examples available. Alexander Gysin had great ability in capturing the themes.

The image seen here represents many hours of digital restoration, and also professional translation into modern German language.

It is an amazing work of art with a very powerful message....And also the litho is of particular interest and importance in that it may well be the "earlier representation" mentioned of by Charlotte Reihlen in the German Explanation of her own design. The influence of this older picture is very intrigueing, and is a window also to help us understand how different the world was back then. Reading closely the quotes in Charlotte's Explanation and comparing them to those in the foreground of the said litho we discover they are virtually the same texts. While quite a number of similar designs had been made in Europe, they do differ quite alot from each other in content and execution, but the research so far points only to the litho by Alexander Gysin as being the closest match ......Is this the "earlier representation" mentioned by Charlotte Reihlen? or could there be another litho so far unidentified and undiscovered? This unusual litho is also made available for the benifit all who wish to enjoy and study the picture. If any visitors know of this litho and other similar ones please contact me as I hope to write a book about them (date 30/09/2019)

Image Restoration © Peter N Millward

An English Explanation was produced some years later for Gawin Kirkham's English version of the Broad and Narrow Way print based on Charlotte Rehlen's

From the English Translation of Charlotte Reihlen's Explanation:

“I have found in an earlier representation of the two ways, where several persons are trying to quiet themselves about not walking in the narrow way, by saying, “We go regularly to church,” (“We take the Lord’s Supper,” “We attend Christian meetings,” ) “I give freely to the poor,” “I have a good conscience,” “To be honest is my endeavor,” “God is not so exact,” “I am very busy,” “Innocent pleasures are lawful,” “Who can refuse young people joy, if they turn in old age,” " Who would be such a fool as not to enjoy life?" “We go with the crowd,” " I hope to be saved too." With these and similar superficial excuses one can indeed for a time stifle heart and conscience. Before the holy God, whose eyes are as a flame of fire, none can stand. The Lord Jesus says, with decision that admits of no doubt, " Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.“— (John 3:3).”

Detail in foreground of picture

Other interesting details about the picture - The above text are lines from a well known Poem Der Kampf der Tugend - "The Fight of Virtue" By Christian Fürchtegott Gellert - German Poet (1715 – 1769) Berthold Auerbach paid tribute to Gellert in his story "Gellerts letzte Weihnachten"
Translated into English as "Christian Gellert's Last Christmas", first published in 1869 The poem also was set to Choral music Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788) German Classical period musician and composer, the fifth child and second son of Johann Sebastian Bach and Maria Barbara Bach. With grateful thanks for translation from old German script into modern German - Gerda Dinwiddie, alteschrift.com