Missionary Broadcasting.com

Portland Head Light

Chris — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:07:14 +0000

The Portland Head Light is a great place to visit if you happen to find yourself in Maine. Some of our favorite pictures were taken at this Cape Elizabeth lighthouse during a deputation visit in 2006. The other day I happened to run across another beautiful series of Portland Head Light photos. Since we have made an image of this lighthouse sort of a theme on our blog, we thought you might like to see them.

What America Needs

Chris — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:58:50 +0000

I had the privilege of listening to a fantastic sermon by Dr. Charles Phelps this afternoon. Dr. Phelps pastored in New England for many years, and is currently the President of Maranatha Baptist Bible College. This message examines our need for revival, and expresses confidence that revival can indeed come to our nation.

Exodus 3:11

Chris — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:43:03 +0000

“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” While I understand the tone of this question, in that it displays a lack of trust in God, I can’t help but identify with Moses’ sense of amazement. Who are we to minister for an almighty God? The answer would be no one at all, if it weren’t for our Lord’s propensity for turning nothing into something for His own glory. It seems these sentiments have both a hint of humility and reluctance. Humility in that all Christians feel inadequate to represent Christ, reluctance in that Moses seems less than prepared to obey. As the instructions get more specific in the following verses we see a transition into almost argument with God. It seems Moses let his understanding of human limitations become a justification for faithlessness. This is a common tendency, and it would be wise for us to make ourselves aware of it as we are continually called to greater service for our Savior. We are not naturally inclined to do everything God may ask of us; if fact doing what is easy is usually not part of His plan. Still, we should remind ourselves of His faithfulness and power to equip us for every good work.

Exodus 3:3-4

Chris — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:45:11 +0000

“And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.” It is interesting to note that Moses has a conversation (of sorts) with himself about what he is going to do. Whether he was actually speaking out loud is not the relevant point. One way or the other it is clear he makes a conscious decision to turn toward the bush. Another important observation is that God waits for Moses to turn before He speaks. I wonder how often I have noticed a sign sent by God, choosing to press forward instead of adjusting course for a closer look? It is not insignificant that Moses made a choice to leave his “typical” path to hear from God. He displays an effort which results in the reception of God’s calling; just as we must seek – make an effort, with purpose – God’s will in our own lives through diligent Bible study and prayer. Those who make their “own way” in life, oblivious to circumstances and situations God may use to guide us into service for Him make a grave mistake. Our burning bush may not be nearly so obvious, but it will certainly catch our attention. Be preparing yourself to “turn aside, and see this great sight” each and every day.

Off the Cuff

Chris — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:36:21 +0000

Tonight I am posting an experimental podcast. It is an “off the cuff” recording based upon a series of lessons God has been teaching me lately. While I had been thinking about posting such material for quite some time, I could never find an opportunity to get a clear, quiet recording in my very busy (and noisy) three-child home. It seems the only free moments in my day recently have been in the car; so I took my favorite portable recorder on an errand tonight and captured the audio below.

Here’s a rundown on the topics we discuss:

Purpose of my trip. (00:00)
The difficulty of raising children. (01:58)
How God uses children to teach us things about Himself. (05:10)
Dumpster diving. (06:48)
Military ministry opportunities. (09:07)
Contentment during small sacrifices. (11:15)
Off the cuff broadcasting. (15:50)

Download audio file (offthecuff1.mp3)

Download the Off the Cuff MP3

I don’t know if I will ever record a feature like this again - it was an experiment - but I found it just interesting enough to post online. It is extremely impromptu, very roughly recorded and edited (note the cars passing, turning signals, etc.), but it gives you a real-life Harper family update that is purely Alaskan; like us. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

One note of clarification on the content of the recording: at about 06:10 I say that “God doesn’t work”. I understand the theological problem with this assertion, and only meant that He doesn’t work “in the same manner” we work. More specifically; He is void of all the fatigue and frustration that often comes along with human work.

Reprise: What is Best?

Chris — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:18:28 +0000

I was prompted to republish this message because of a series of comments I read relating to an article linked on the Religious Affections Ministries site. I didn’t even listen to the songs mentioned, I just saw the names, remembered their significance, thought of a story, and decided to tell it. This is a related sermon I gave numerous times around the country, and it’s one I listen to again on occasion to refresh my memory about how God has led our family. It is subtitled; My Christian Broadcasting Story. Please play or download What is Best? below.

Download audio file (whatisbest.mp3)

Download the What is Best? MP3

(This sermon was originally published in the Spring of 2006.)

Regular Reading List

Chris — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:24:13 +0000

I have been blogging for nearly three years and have never posted a blogroll. The truth is, I find very few blogs worth reading every day. Many post good articles regularly, but come from a philosophical (or doctrinal) perspective that is “less than the best”. Other fundamentalist blogs tend to ride one particular hobby-horse, or cultivate arguments that are tedious and unhelpful.

Recently, I have developed a short list of feeds that I browse every day, usually finding something fascinating enough to hold my interest.

Audio

Maranatha Sermon Podcast - Excellent messages from MBBC Chapels
Sermon Audio - Thousands of Quality Sermons from Around the World

Churches

Northwest News! - Missionary Church Plant in Northern Ireland
Vision News - Mission-minded Church in Georgia

Ministry

Religious Affections - Conservative Perspectives on Church Worship

Missions

The Gospel in China - Stories of Mission Work in China
Snode News! - Church Planting in Northern Ireland

News

Baptist Bulletin - Bi-monthly Magazine from the GARBC

Pastors

an oxgoad eh? - A BJU Grad Blogs from Canada

Popular

Sharper Iron - The Top Fundamentalist Blog
Pulpit Magazine - The Shepherd’s Fellowship Blog

There are interesting stories behind how I found most of the smaller sites, but I won’t take time to relate them here. Obviously I cannot (and do not) endorse every one of them completely, but feel they all have something sane and relevant to say on a regular basis. Visit and let me know what you think.

Radical Religious Belief

Chris — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:26:11 +0000

Advocates of “Christian” political activism in the United States spend a lot of time telling us how the deck is stacked against them. They are correct. A secular society is never friendly to Biblical viewpoints, and rarely even sympathetic to the concerns of Bible-believers. Consistent and vigorous evangelism is a far more effective means of social change. A continuously growing population of righteous and faithful Christians will have dramatic effects on any local community. While I always advocate the communication of Biblical truth on public and political policy, I prefer to spend the majority of my time and money on evangelism and discipleship.

For every ounce of hostility to Christianity we find in America, there is a pound in the UK. One of today’s daily Telegraph editorials considers belief in the Bible dangerous, comparing it readily with radical Islam, and insisting those that affirm it be excluded from the political process. Make no mistake, similar opinions now find a home in America too. I consider them to be the fault of “Christian” political activism rather than the enemy of it. A particular segment of Christianity has become so unalterably preoccupied with political change, their witnessing and discipling responsibilities have been almost totally ignored! Consequently, conservative activism has grown while Biblical Christianity has declined. Am I wrong?

Exodus 2:3

Chris — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:33:49 +0000

“And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.” Many a Mother’s Day sermon has been drafted based upon this text. The faith displayed in these actions is both admirable and worthy of imitation. Jochebed chose to give up her son, trusting God to intervene in His life and use him for His own purposes. While this “giving up” of children is displayed for us so many times in scripture, especially in the Old Testament, it is often reluctantly embraced by the modern parent. I’ll never forget a speech one Bible college President gave several years ago. He spoke with great sadness about the dozens (hundreds perhaps) of students that expressed a desire to enter missions or the pastorate, only to be persuaded by their parents to choose a more “lucrative” field. Some even threatened to stop financing their education if they studied for vocational service. He was convinced pressure from parents was the number one reason his students chose not to follow Christ into the ministry. Does this passage specifically address the problem? Maybe not; but it does bring us face to face with a woman that was willing to release her son in total dependence upon God. Five verses later God rewarded her obedience by giving Moses back (for a season).

Confession: Double Murder

Chris — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:21:52 +0000

I wrote a provocative headline because I wanted you to read an article from Sunday’s daily Telegraph. It is one of the most disturbing stories you will ever read regarding abortion. A UK woman named Lucy Cavendish tells an appalling true-life story of magnificent disregard for human life and relentless commitment to self. I believe we can be fairly certain Lucy is simply a lost, sinful, deceived woman in need of Christ, but her views reveal something about the condition of Western society today. It is long past time for believers to wake up, speak up, and refuse to back up until we’re taken up on eliminating the legal murder of the unborn!