J.Tambakis

Christian. Married to Chloe. Father of two and pastor of Park Royal Bible Church.

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

Still true!

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

Success does not hide sin from God's gaze. - Mark Dever

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

Canada’s soccer team is far better than this American team…

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

@DennyBurk I remember in a pastors talk that he said he had been preparing this sermon for several months. I was hoping that he’d be able to preach it!

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

Eugenics has not gone away. And notice how all the language is cloaked in compassion and euphemisms.

[Jesse Ridgway @McJuggerNuggets]

This week, my wife and I made the very difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy due to Trisomy 21.

The choice was not made lightly. We really appreciate all of the personal stories that you guys shared with us, especially the unconditional support we received from fans with no matter what we decided.

I know some of you may be very disappointed to hear this news. We are devastated. This has been extremely traumatic for both of us, especially Ashley.

She underwent the procedure earlier this week and is on the mend. Thankfully, everything went smoothly, but emotionally we are drained.

Trisomy 21, also known as Down Syndrome, is caused by an extra chromosome. It is caused by an error in cell division, like a glitch. The odds of a baby having it is 1 in 1000.

When I first confronted this news, I was shocked but optimistic. If they’re a little slow intellectually, then we’ll make it work. I signed on to be a parent, come what may…but I just didn’t fully understand what Down Syndrome entailed.

Once we made it public, it became clear that MOST people don’t know what Down Syndrome entails (and no, it’s not the same as Autism):

50% of babies with DS have heart defects. 75% will have hearing challenges. Over 50% will have vision problems. Impaired immune function, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, delayed physical development, poor muscle tone, structural issues with face, decreased lifespan, etc…Sadly, the list is long, feel free to look it up…Down Syndome isn’t a “blessing”, it is objectively shitty from a health perspective.

I didn’t realize just how rough it is for the child, let alone the family…more often than not, they would be fully dependent on others for the rest of their life.

The miscarriage risk is also close to 50%, which made matters worse…they may never see the light of day and it puts Ashley further at risk.

We spoke with doctors, friends, family and genetic counselors and learned that up to 90% of women terminate their pregnancy after learning the baby has Trisomy 21.

This was WAY higher than I expected, I thought it would be lower given that I hear so many say they kept or would keep the baby. I believe that’s because most terminations happen privately, it feels shameful. A lot of judgment being cast.

You never think you’d be in this type of situation until it happens to you and then things change.

To all of my fans who have weighed in on this topic who have Autism, Down Syndrome or any other conditions…we appreciate you. You matter a lot and we’re glad you’re here. I commend you and your families for having the strength and courage to push forward.

As for us, we made a difficult decision that we believe in the long-run will be beneficial for our family. Thankfully, we had a choice.

It will take a little time to move on, but we are excited to try again in the future and hopefully have a better outcome.

Love you guys & thank you for understanding. ❤️

[Kevin O'Connor @KevinOConnor]

Cavs look ready for Cancun

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

In the same week Bill C-9 passes the HOC in Canada, Päivi Räsänen, the Finnish politician is convicted of hate speech charges for a church pamphlet she wrote 20 years earlier.

Weakening Free Speech laws leads to unjust outcomes.

I hope the Canadian senate takes note.

[Kristen Waggoner @KristenWaggoner]

I am appalled that—while Päivi Räsänen was thankfully acquitted for her 2019 Bible verse tweet—the Finnish Supreme Court has convicted her of criminal “hate speech” for a church pamphlet she wrote in 2004, long before the law in question was passed.

Her Lutheran bishop, Juhana Pohjola, was also convicted for publishing the pamphlet, when all they did was share their beliefs in the public square. In its 3-2 ruling, the Court ordered the pamphlet to be “removed from public access and destroyed.”

This is a dark day for freedom in Europe and across the Western world. Punishing peaceful expression undermines the very foundation of free societies. The right to speak freely, including on matters of faith and morality, is firmly protected under international law. We will continue to stand with Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola as they consider an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

The Western world has aggressively adopted more and more restrictions on speech. This case makes clear beyond doubt that now is the time for the governments of Europe to repeal unjust “hate speech laws” and commit to a free speech reset.

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

Softness and hardness are the two main faults from which all the mistakes of pastors come. - Martin Luther

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

@btbsoco @timothyjlutz Are you against street preaching in principle?

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

Great idea! Now buy up church buildings in Canada :)

[Samuel Leeds @samuel_leeds]

I wanna buy churches like this that are shutting down across England.

So if you know a church that's for sale and potentially closing down, let me know. I wanna buy a church.

I don't care if it's got planning permission to return to flats redeveloped. I don't care.

I wanna buy it. I don't care how profitable the conversion will be.

If it was built as a church, I believe it needs to stay as a church.

I want to save churches like this one from being shut down and sold off to developers all across the UK.

I love making profit in property, but when someone's being built as a church to honour Jesus Christ, that's a no no.

There's revival coming in England and we need to keep our churches open. Ready for what’s to come.

Is this a good idea you would support?

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

Christian pastors who sin in grievous ways often want to pastor again.

But after Moses struck the rock twice, he couldn’t come into the land despite his pleas. And after Saul broke one command, the kingdom was torn from him.

Sometimes there are no second chances to lead again.

[Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless]

The Toronto Blue Jays are really impressing me with their mental toughness. To lose in 18 and come right back and beat Shohei? Even at 2-2, slight psychological advantage, Jays.

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

IMO the jays made a mistake by taking out barger. Hope it doesn’t come back and bite them.

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

SPRINGER!!!! Lets GOOOOO

[Ryan Denton @TexasPreacher]

12 Rules for Preachers. Take them or leave them.

1. Don’t Respond to Critics

You will be misunderstood. You will be slandered. You can't waste your time answering every critic. Preach Christ. Live faithfully. Let your life and doctrine do the talking.

2. Don’t Be a Celebrity

Platforms, applause, recognition, leave it all behind. If these things happen, so be it, but don't chase it & don't think too much of it. “He must increase, but I must decrease."

3. Don’t Be a Church Killer

Guard the unity of Christ’s flock. Do not undermine your elders or your fellow laborers in public. Do everything you can (short of compromise) to keep & strengthen unity.

4. Don’t Point Fingers

If the ministry struggles, own it. Don’t blame the culture. Don’t blame the times. Don't blame the people. Go back to your knees & the Word and see where YOU can be more effective.

5. Don’t Be a Statistic Freak

The measure of your work is not attendance, downloads, or likes. The measure is faithfulness. “It is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).

6. Don’t Lose Your Poise

If you panic, the church will panic. If you sulk, the church will sulk. If you explode, etc. Be steady. Be unmoved.

7. It’s About the Church

Your current ministry is not a stepping stone to greater things. It's not a means to an end. It is the end. You are here to carry out the duty in front of you.

8. Don't Be a Clown

The pulpit is not a stage. Preach and live with gravity. Pursue holiness. It's difficult to respect and follow a man who is immature.

9. Be Diligent

Do not trifle away your time. Study. Pray. Visit. Preach. Evangelize. Redeem the time because the days are evil.

10. Avoid Useless Conversation & Gossip

Stay out of empty chatter and vain disputes. Enough said.

11. Be Punctual

Keep your word. Honor your appointments. Be early. Do everything at the time appointed. Disorder in you will bring reproach on the ministry.

12. Preach Plainly

Avoid lofty speech. Don't be an egg head. Speak so the simplest hearer understands. “We use great plainness of speech."

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

“Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress,
helpless look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me, Saviour or I die.”

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

@Prominent_Bryan My Alma Mater - McMaster University - has been building projects for a number of years. You wonder if this insatiable desire for universities to build more has something to do with this financial crunch.

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

John Calvin's Genesis commentary is excellent.

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

@BillboardChris Any chance a pro-life billboard will come anytime soon? :)

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

@ddhitchens When Canada’s senate received the assisted dying bill from the House of Commons they made it worse… hopefully, the opposite happens in the UK.

[J.Tambakis @TambakisJ]

"Man rashly daring, full of pride, Most covets what is most denied... counts nothing arduous and tries, Insanely to possess the skies."

"Come let us ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves." Genesis 11:4

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

No gods or kings, only men