Category: Journey Of Faith

Do You Know Your History? (pt.2)

2/23/2017

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Midway through the 2nd century the fledgling Christian Church was under attack. Outside her doors she faced opposition from both Jews and Romans. Inside she was bombarded by doctrinal error and heresy. Who would come to her rescue?

Find out by listening to All Souls' newest course:
"Know Your History"
Class #2: MEET JUSTIN MARTYR & IRENAEUS

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Take a Listen

8/23/2016

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A Few Thoughts About Ulysses, Tennyson, & the Faith of Abraham

Did you take poetry when you were in school? I never did take it… but I wish I would have because the little poetry I’ve read since school is enough to convince me that I missed out on something very wonderful. For example, Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem, Ulysses - ever read it? It’s a poem about an old man who comes to realize that the true meaning and purpose of life could never be found in seeking comfort and ease, retreating to restful and calm surroundings, and/or pursuing peaceful tranquility. But as Ulysses discovered, true meaning and purpose could only be found as one boldly faced the struggles and challenges of life.

Armed with this realization Ulysses, despite his old age and his life of restful ease gathers up his sailors to push out once more into the great unknown. Leaving the comfortable harbor of home behind him the old man Ulysses, turns to his fellow travelers and says:

“We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

To my mind there is much in these words that is applicable to the biblical figure of Abraham.

Like Ulysses, Abraham was an old man who set out on a journey. Abraham's journey was the journey of faith and as he encountered difficulties along the way Abraham came to understand that these difficulties, faced in light of God's promises, actually worked to deepen his faith.

To put it differently the difficulties faced along the journey of faith are not calls to seek shelter or to turn the ship of our lives toward the safety of some lazy port. On the contrary they are encouragements to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. And as we journey on, facing various difficulties and challenges, like Abraham, we find that our faith, by God's grace is greatly strengthened.

Take sometime to learn about one of the great difficulties of Abraham's journey by clicking here.

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Why Getting Attacked is Normal

1/20/2016

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So there you were working away for the Lord when suddenly - BOOM!!! - you got blindsided by some nasty and careless person. Maybe they launched a smear campaign against you. Maybe they spread lies about you. Maybe they falsely accused you of things you had not done.
However it was that they attacked you, it wasn't fair... or true... or loving... or honest.

So why didn't the Lord just shield you from it all?

Find out in today's installment of "Useful Insights From Unexpected Sources."

Today's Useful Insight comes from
J.C. Ryle:

John Charles Ryle (10 May 1816 - 10 June 1900), Bishop of Liverpool

"Let it never surprise true Christians if they are slandered and misrepresented in this world. They must not expect to fare better than their Lord. Let them rather look forward to it as a matter of course, and see in it a part of the cross which all must bear after conversion. Lies and false reports are among Satan’s choicest weapons. When he cannot deter men from serving Christ, he labors to harass them and make Christ’s service uncomfortable. Let us bear it patiently, and not count it a strange thing. The words of the Lord Jesus should often come to our minds – “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you.”[Luke 6:26] “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.” [Matt. 5:11]"

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Theology Anyone?

1/6/2016

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What do you believe as a Christian?
Why do you believe it?
(do you know?... are you sure?)

Why not join us for
"Know Your Confession"
a four-part course exploring the basics of Reformed Theology

Who: Hosted by All Souls Church, taught by yours truly, and open to any interested persons.

What: A course delving into the basics of Reformed Theology as outlined in the first eight chapters of the Westminster Confession of Faith. All course materials provided by All Souls.

When: January 12th, January 26th, February 9th, & February 23rd from 6:30-8:00 PM.

Where: All Souls Church, 228 Main Street Green Camp, Ohio 43322

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Do You Know Your History? (pt.2)

Midway through the 2nd century the fledgling Christian Church was under attack. Outside her doors she faced opposition from both Jews and Romans. Inside she was bombarded by doctrinal error and heresy. Who would come to her rescue?

Take a Listen

A Few Thoughts About Ulysses, Tennyson, & the Faith of Abraham

“We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

Why Getting Attacked is Normal

Today's Useful Insight comes from
J.C. Ryle:

Theology Anyone?

What do you believe as a Christian?
Why do you believe it?
(do you know?... are you sure?)

Why not join us for
"Know Your Confession"
a four-part course exploring the basics of Reformed Theology

Rev. R Crabtree

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ALL SOULS REFORMED CHURCH
228 Main St Green Camp, OH 43322

© 2026 All Souls Reformed Church. All rights reserved.

Do You Know Your History? (pt.2)

Midway through the 2nd century the fledgling Christian Church was under attack. Outside her doors she faced opposition from both Jews and Romans. Inside she was bombarded by doctrinal error and heresy. Who would come to her rescue?

Take a Listen

A Few Thoughts About Ulysses, Tennyson, & the Faith of Abraham

“We are not now that strength which in old daysMoved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;One equal temper of heroic hearts,Made weak by time and fate, but strong in willTo strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

Why Getting Attacked is Normal

Today's Useful Insight comes fromJ.C. Ryle:

Theology Anyone?

What do you believe as a Christian?Why do you believe it?(do you know?... are you sure?)

Why not join us for "Know Your Confession"a four-part course exploring the basics of Reformed Theology

Rev. R Crabtree

Archives

Categories

ALL SOULS REFORMED CHURCH​228 Main St Green Camp, OH 43322​© 2026 All Souls Reformed Church. All rights reserved.

“We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

Today's Useful Insight comes from
J.C. Ryle:

What do you believe as a Christian?
Why do you believe it?
(do you know?... are you sure?)

Why not join us for
"Know Your Confession"
a four-part course exploring the basics of Reformed Theology

ALL SOULS REFORMED CHURCH
228 Main St Green Camp, OH 43322

© 2026 All Souls Reformed Church. All rights reserved.