The heights of great men reached and kept,
Were not obtained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept
Were toiling upward in the night.
–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

By The Weakness Of The Cross, Satan Crushed...

On July 20th I filled the pulpit for our Pastor. Here is the link to my sermon. Enjoy !!!

"By the Weakness of the Cross, Satan Crushed"Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53:1-7; Mark 9:14-29 - Elder Tony Garbarino

Virile Gospel

A while back I was reading from original Westminsterite D.M.
Lloyd-Jones. The topic was mortification of sin by the Holy Spirit and
was quite good. At one point while discussing 'making no provision for
the flesh' and 'mortifying the deeds of the body' he thanks God for a
virile Gospel. I found the use of the adjective virile unusual but
appropriate; I know he died not too long ago but it's not what you hear
from most contemporary folks.

"Thank God for a virile Gospel; thank God for a Gospel that tells us
that we are now responsible beings in Christ, and which calls upon us to
act in a way that glorifies the Savior."

The Gospel is virile while I remain...well...viral-thank God indeed that
my infirmities (spiritual and physical) are no match for the virility of
the glorious Gospel.

For His glory (even in our weakness)-

The Patriarch

The Patriarch

More noble than the valiant deeds of shining knights of yore,

More powerful than earthly plights that make the rich man poor,

More kingly than a royal throne or a lion with his pride,

Is he whose babes sleep well at night sure Daddy will provide.

There is a spirit in this land and Jezebel’s her name.

She’s calling you to leave your home for power, fun, and fame.

She wants your wife, your children too — she’ll never compromise,Until your house is torn in two by listening to her lies.

But though a hundred thousand million men may fall prey to her lures,

And wives en masse leave home in search of “more fulfilling” chores,

Though preachers praise, and friends embrace, her pagan plan of death,

Stand strong and quit you like a man with every blessed breath.

Stand strong and rise, O man of God, to meet this noble call,

The battle is not new you see, it’s been here since the Fall.

Your wife is your helpmeet, my friend, and not another man’s,

So care for her and keep her far from Mistress Jezi’s plans.

Protect, provide, and give to her your undivided life,

This is the dear one of your youth, your precious bride, your wife.

And rally to those tiny ones who trust you for their care —

A lifetime spent discipling them’s a lifetime pure and rare.

For when they put their hand in yours and know a Daddy’s love,

You’re showing them a picture of the Father from above.

Look not toward worldly goal or gain, or for your liberty,

Look only into their sweet eyes to find your ministry.

Devote your heart and sacrifice and make your manly mark —

There is none so great as he who finds his call as patriarch.

—Douglas W. Phillips