Stephen C. Shaffer

Pastor-Theologian at Bethel Reformed Church (Brantford) | Author of “Our Only Comfort,”“Rooted,” and "All Things Hold Together"

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

All my books are available at https://t.co/gqOcG1m7hQ

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

RF 24-8 to direct Church Order to bring amendments to have deacons as delegates to classis.

Motion fails 89-91.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

RCA restructuring report begins. Buckle up everybody.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

Christ's global garden grows concretely only in local plots. -- Michael Horton

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

Five purposes of pastoral care (according to Bucer):
1. Seek the lost sheep
2. Recover the wandering sheep
3. Bind up the wounds of the injured sheep
4. Strengthen the weak sheep
5. Keep/Guard the strong sheep.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

"When those who are supposed to lead the poor people to Christ do not themselves strive towards Christ with all their hearts, who can express the trouble and disaster which must come about?" - Martin Bucer

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

"When Christ is preached to us, the kingdom of heaven is opened to us, so that being raised from death we may live the life of God" - John Calvin

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

@roddysteves I have longed believed that the humanities as a discipline is intended to help us grow more human. Its value will not show up on a spreadsheet, but it will be felt.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

“Condescension in pastors is even worse than hostility” - Eugene Peterson

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

First dedicated writing session for Book 4. Starting a new project is both exciting and difficult to get started. I would have liked more progress on chapter 1, but I am starting to get a feel for the tone of the book, which is good.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

Demanding work is not always bad, but I am trying not to take for granted that there is peace in my home.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

Today, I am thankful to God for protecting my family.

I can usually handle either work or home being stressful, but struggle when both are. I currently work in 3 different realms (only 1 pays me) and all three are demanding a lot right now. But the kids are alright.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

“Saul was no sooner a Christian than a preacher, no sooner a preacher than a sufferer.” - Matthew Henry

The connection between preaching Christ and suffering for Christ is suffused throughout the New Testament. We who preach Christ today should not be surprised to face the same.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

After how frustrating it was to watch the Wheel of Time show as a huge fan, it has been a breath of fresh air to watch Percy Jackson. The shows just hits the tone of the books and leans into acting over special effects.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

Actually engaging in gospel mission that impacts the lost and the broken is going to be messy. Most churches are eager to see the results (conversions, members), but not as excited to wade through the mess of being with people as Jesus leads them out of darkness into light.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

Emails to beta-readers for my book on biblical genealogies will go out this afternoon. So if you still want to read and provide feedback on some early drafts, there are a few hours left to sign up.

https://t.co/wM0DAs8tfZ

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

@roddysteves Be flattered, friend.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

Update: I met with this young man this afternoon because he was requesting baptism. He had never been in a church (or heard the gospel) before that morning, but four weeks later, he is telling me how God has transformed his life and that Jesus is his Lord and Savior.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

To cap it all off, we had a few new faces in church this morning. One of which, when I asked him when he had immigrated to Canada, he said, “This morning.” Within hours of arrival, his friends had said, “Set down your bags, we are going to church.” God is good.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

Saul in Acts 9 is the Gerasene demoniac, whom no one was strong enough to subdue, but after the appearance of Jesus is found 'sitting, clothed and in his right mind' (Mark 5:15). This transformation terrified the people of the Gerasenes and Saul's conversion terrified the church.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

seeing/blindness and violence/peace are key dynamics in both stories, and how God strikes with blindness and opens eyes so that there will be peace.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

It will not make it into the sermon this week, but Acts 9 is the same story as 2 Kings 6:8-23. Saul is the Aramean army that is struck with blindness, led by the hand, only to have eyes opened, a table set, and enemies no longer raiding the people of God.

[Stephen C. Shaffer @sc_shaffer]

The man who began breathing out threats and murder (v.1) is later called "Brother Saul."
The Arameans who raided Israel no longer raid by the end of the story.