Volu 100 Issue 19

Pastor of Peace PRC in Dyer, Indiana   According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain—Philippians 1:20-21. Everyone has desires. Those desires relate to such things as church, marriage and family, careers, schooling, vacations, money, and even eating and drinking. But of our many desires, which one is chief? Which desire rules all the others? The...

Pastor of Crete PRC in Crete, Illinois   INTRODUCTION For many years, the editors of the Standard Bearer have provided a summary of the decisions of the Synod of the Protestant Reformed Churches in the July issue of the magazine. Due to the length of this year’s Synod and the responsibilities involved, I was not able to put together such a summary in time. Readers interested in a summary of the work of synod are encouraged to consult the daily news reports that are found on the denominational website (prca.org/about/ church-government/synod). And, to gain an accurate knowledge of what synod...

Minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches and member of Covenant of Grace PR Fellowship in Spokane, Washington   8But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. 9What do ye imagine against the Lord? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. 10For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry. 11There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the Lord, a wicked counsellor....

Pastor of First PRC in Holland, Michigan   Among the great, unsearchable, and marvelous works of Almighty God, which we can so easily overlook, is His work of giving rain upon the earth and sending waters upon the fields (Job 5:9-10). The King of heaven and earth rules over the mighty waters. He has both appointed the boundaries of the sea and “made a decree for the rain” (Job 28:26). He makes the dark rain clouds His chariot and walks upon the wings of the storm wind. “For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to...

Emeritus professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament in the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary and member of Southwest PRC in Wyoming, Michigan   THE CREEDS OF FOUR COUNCILS RECEIVED. And, to say many things with a few words, with a sincere heart we believe, and freely confess with open mouth, whatever things are defined from the Holy Scriptures concerning the mystery of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, and are summed up in the Creeds and decrees of the first four most excellent synods convened at Nicea, Constantinople, Ephesus and Chalcedon— together with the Creed of blessed Athanasius, and all...

Pastor of Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls, South Dakota   “Hate” is a strong word. When the Lord gives us a list of seven sins that He hates (Prov. 6:16), we ought to sit up and take notice. Topping that list at #1 is the sin of pride. Abominable pride! Pride is an attitude of superiority over against others and even God Himself. Proverbs 6 refers to a “proud look.” In the original Hebrew, “proud” is the word “high,” and “look” is the word “eyes.” Thus, the title of this article, and a fitting description of pride, is “high eyes.”...

Pastor of Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and secretary of the Foreign Mission Committee   The Foreign Mission Committee (FMC) consists of ten men from the Iowa/Minnesota/South Dakota area, normally divided evenly between elders or ex-elders and ministers. The FMC meets in Doon PRC’s council room on the third Tuesday of every month. The Constitution of the FMC sets forth the committee’s duties as follows: The committee shall carry on such investigation, study, correspondence, and propaganda as may prove beneficial in locating a field of labor. Once a field of labor has been located, the committee shall present...

Pastor of Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and secretary of the Foreign Mission Committee   The Council of Hope PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) would like to provide an update on the past few months on the saints in Myanmar. There have been many questions and concerns about the saints and the church in Myanmar, showing the support and care that our sister churches have for these dear saints. Throughout these difficulties, the concern and encouragement truly has demonstrated the unity of Christ’s church. The Myanmar Committee (Hope’s Council) would like to express our appreciation to our sister churches...

Member of Southeast PRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan and administrator at Eastside Christian School in Grand Rapids, Michigan   Written by Denise (VanBaren) Haan with help from Agnes VanDrunen (1911-2005) and several other VanBaren family members. A family tree is full of names and dates, but I wanted more than that. I wanted to know the stories behind those names. The family tree recorded that my great-great-grandfather was the first VanBaren to come to the United States in 1856 at age 36, that he married at 45, and had his first child at age 47. It said his wife passed...