Category Archives: Mother Teresa

News From The Front – March 2010

Dear praying friends,

Last October (2009) marked the 20th anniversary of my leaving secular employment to seek the Lord’s will for full-time Christian service and God willing this coming September (2010) will mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of ‘Take Heed’ Ministries. Enclosed with this newsletter is a personal letter to all on the mailing list indicating that another ‘landmark’ event is now showing up on the radar of my life – an event that may signal some changes in the future strategy and functioning of ‘Take Heed’. Time is such a precious gift from God – Moses saw his life divided up into 3 ‘chapters’ of 40 years each and without doubt the first 2 ‘chapters’ [Egypt and Midian] prepared and equipped him for probably the greatest ‘chapter’ of all – the last one when he was commissioned by God to go to Egypt and secure the release of God’s people from their bondage and to lead them towards the Promised Land. Bearing this in mind the words of Moses as recorded in Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” – clearly come from the heart of one who had learnt this great truth along his journey of life. C H Spurgeon commented ‘It is most meet (fitting) that the heart which will so soon cease to beat should while it moves be regulated by wisdom’s hand. A short life should be wisely spent.’ John MacArthur commented ‘The Psalmist had the right perspective in Psalm 90:12… Wisdom numbers the days, sees the limited time and buys the opportunity. Don’t be foolish – shun opportunities for evil, but seize opportunities for good’. These words have been easy for me to type and for you to read – may God help us all to apply the wisdom learnt as our days unfold. May you all know His blessing in 2010 and beyond [DV].

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J I Packer and ‘Mother’ Teresa

At the beginning of this year I was contacted by a friend and fellow-believer in England who asked me if I had any information or views on an addition included in the second printing of a book by J I Packer called ‘Rediscovering Holiness’.  This addition dealt with Mr Packer’s views of difficulties/doubts experienced by the late ‘Mother’ Teresa. I had not been aware of this addition to Mr Packer’s reprinted book and in the course of my investigations I came across a very helpful article on this link

http://strengthenedbygrace.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/j-i-packer-continued-disappointment/

and I plan now to reproduce this article here (I have highlighted some important portions in bold) and then by way of conclusion I shall make some comments of my own.

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News From The Front – October 1997

Dear praying friends,

The death of Diana, Princess of Wales (followed shortly after the death of ‘Mother’ Tereas) evoked a universal outpouring of grief and without doubt her death and also the loss of those who died with her was an occasion for true and genuine sadness. In the days leading up to her funeral and even for a time afterwards the ‘spiritual vacuum’ of masses of people was clearly evident but I think an even greater tradegy was the failure of so-called Christian leaders to make plain the teaching of God’s word in several crucial areas. Christ claimed to be the sole and unique way to God (John 14:6) and yet an evident ‘all roads lead to God’ attitude was clearly adopted on many occasions. Paul declares that salvation is “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9) but for many there was a tacit acceptance of charitable works as the basis of acceptance by God. The God of heaven declares “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord” (Revelation 14:13) yet millions were assured that souls who had died without the Christ of Calvary were ‘at rest.’ As believers we and others must afresh take to heart the words of the Lord in Matthew 24:4 “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Thank you for your support as Margaret and I urge people where possible to “Take Heed.”

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