http://wes.themccallums.org Personal and Pastoral Ponderings Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:36:23 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Christmas Greetings from Wes & Patti McCallum Wes is currently serving as an interim pastor in Cartersville, Georgia. Patti is again working at a CVS photo lab. We are living in a furnished apartment in the city. We are enjoying the lovely winter weather! We are learning to enjoy grits, cornbread, and collard greens! http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/12/19/christmas-greetings-2008/ Hey Pastor… Did you hear about the John Wesley Wine Company ®? Did John Wesley really drink wine? Well YES and NO! It’s true that some wine distributors use John Wesley as a promotion for selling wine. One even uses this quote: “Wine is One of the Noblest Cordials in ... http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/12/19/did-john-wesley-drink-wine/ Today, the use of unfermented grape juice for communion is the standard practice for most Protestant churches. However; few know the origins of this custom that dates back to 1869 with Thomas Bramwell Welch, M.D. (1825-1903), the founder of Welch’s grape juice. Welch, was the first person to stop the ... http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/12/19/changing-wine-into-grape-juice/ 1. Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down; fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart. 2. Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast! Let us all in thee inherit; let us ... http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/12/15/love-divine-all-loves-excelling/ LISTEN TO AUDIO: Thanks to God for my Redeemer THANKS to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thou dost provide! Thanks for times now but a memory, Thanks for Jesus by my side! Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and stormy fall! Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks ... http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/11/15/thanks-to-god-for-my-redeemer/ This outline is from my recent teaching series on the Principles of Spiritual Restoration. A believer who sins often needs help to be restored to the family or church. Adapt these principles according to the circumstances and the severity of the situation. KEY SCRIPTURES My dear children, I write this ... http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/05/22/principles-of-spiritual-restoration/ My call for ministry was more a process than an event.  It began in 1978 with a heavenly vision that distinctly got my attention in the early morning hours.  Sometime later it was confirmed during a sleepless night of prayer.  Later still it was reaffirmed through opportunities for ... http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/04/28/the-heavenly-vision/ Jesus’ greatest influence was not with the 12 disciples or the crowds.  Rather, it was with intimate disciples like Peter, James, and John.  He mentored Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  He also warmed the hearts of two disciples on the Emmaus Road.  This model of leadership likely influenced 12 ... http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/04/23/biblical-mentors/ On the first Sunday after the Resurrection, I preached on “CHRISTUS VICTOR – CHRIST IS VICTORIOUS” from I Corinthians 15.  The message developed several of the following theories of atonement.  The message focused on the final two theories listed below:     1. The Ransom Theory (God pays off Satan). Introduced by ... http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/04/22/theories-of-atonement/ Many churches set membership commitments for their constituents. Here is an interesting set of GENERAL RULES set by John & Charles Wesley in 1743 for those attending the class meetings. Initially, only one condition was required to attend — a desire “to flee from the wrath to come, to be ... http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/03/20/john-wesleys-general-rules-1743/