The privileges of the house [of God] are such as they will not suit nor profit any other. To what purpose is it to give food to a dead man? Will he grow strong by it? will he increase upon it? The things of the family and house of God are food for living souls. Now, children only are alive, all others are dead in trespasses and sins. What will outward signs avail, if life and power be away? Look upon what particular you please of the saints’ enjoyments in the family of God, you shall find them all suited unto believers; and, being bestowed on the world, [they] would be a pearl in the snout of a swine.
~John Owen
from Of Communion With God, volume 2 of Works, page 217
The Essential Owen 
just a technical note: when I receive the email update, the email is empty
Hello Marianna!
Thank you for letting me know. I looked into it and it may be fixed now from what I read on one of the WordPress support forums here: http://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/subscription-e-mail-is-blank?replies=13
Let me know if you have anymore problems.
Thanks again.
Blessings,
Brandon
John 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
Who are the apostles, under-shepards, elders to feed? His sheep.
I don’t think there is any obscurity here — it is very clear who the Risen Christ Jesus commanded Peter to feed.
I watched an interview with a farmer being asked about what the weeds(tares) mixed in with the good wheat do. I found the farmer’s response very interesting and enlightening. He said that the tares take away nutrients, soil, space, from the true wheat and therefore the wheat does not produce the best fruit that it can, nor is as strong as it could be.
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