Recent Posts
Testify!August 14, 2010
Why does the song "Amazing Grace" resound so in our hearts? Because it is giving credit to where credit is due. He is the God of all grace. And we are the grateful recipients.
It Is Necessarily So!
July 24, 2010
The Bible has always had its detractors, but for the last hundred years there has been an unprecedented attack mounted against it. The death blow has failed, but not for lack of trying.
Be Careful Where You Sit
July 19, 2010
Reading scripture plops us down into a world of faith, of trust, and a miracle-working God. Can some of that faith rub off on us? Hope so.
But By My Spirit
July 16, 2010
Jesus told his disciples that they would be better off when he left, because then they would benefit from the presence of the Holy Spirit. We cannot overestimate this gift.
When Heartburn Is A Good Thing
July 14, 2010
For the Christian, the danger is when the mind understands, but the heart does not follow. Certain death will follow if the situation is not remedied. But there is a remedy.
After The Bread And Cup
July 5, 2010
Communion is a privilege for the believer that has no parallel. It is impossible to plumb the depths of its significance, and expressing appropriate gratitude is daunting. Lancelot Andrewes helps us, with his gift for words.
A True Hymn
June 25, 2010
Our words count for eternity. One of the readers of what we write is the Lord Himself. And we will give an account someday.
Be Careful Where You Sit
July 19, 2010
Reading scripture plops us down into a world of faith, of trust, and a miracle-working God. Can some of that faith rub off on us? Hope so.When David was a boy, the testing of Abraham's faith on Mount Moriah was probably a bedtime staple. You can almost hear him asking his mom to tell of the people of God "trapped" at the Red Sea, with Pharaoh on one side, and a body of water on the other. We know how that story turned out.
Or take Abraham. Surely David loved hearing that story. After years of waiting, Abraham had his son as promised, only to be told that he must offer up his boy as a sacrifice! What did Abraham do?
He believed.
Hebrews 11 tells us that as he raised the knife to slay his son, the thought was going through his mind, "This seems crazy (or words to that effect) but God can raise the dead, so..."
Embedded in these two verses above from Psalm 22 is a truth that resounds in every generation - simply that when up against difficulties, our part is to trust, and God's part is to deliver.
Remember Eutychus, with early church believers gathered in a third story room, listening to Paul talking "on and on?" Getting drowsy as midnight came and went, Eutychus apparently sat on a window sill to keep from falling dozing off. It didn't work, and tragically he fell to his death three stories below!
Paul, no doubt feeling somewhat responsible, went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him (remember Elisha and the dead Shunammite's son? 2 Kings 4:34?). "Don't be alarmed," Paul shouted to the worried faces peering down from above, "he's alive!" Acts 20:7-12
Acting like nothing out of the ordinary had happened, Paul climbed back up the three flights, suggested that they all have some more food, and then with a "now where was I?" he resumed his discourse until daylight, and then left.
Jesus wondered, if when he returns, faith would be in short supply. Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!!
Holding On To Air
May 3, 2010
Arthur Sulzberger Jr. can't be faulted for hypocrisy. He is a true believer. But in what, exactly?He describes his personal faith this way: “I have The New York Times. That’s my religion. That’s what I believe in, and it’s a hell of a thing to hold on to.”
Jesus described two roads. The one you don't want to be on - the broad one - leads to destruction, he said. That's the one most people travel on. The other choice, the alternative, is the narrow road. It leads to life, and sadly, Jesus says, only a few find that road.
David wrote in Psalm 20....
Some trust in chariots and some in horses (the broad road), but we trust in the name of the Lord our God (the narrow road). Psalms 20:7
The result?
They (those people who choose the broad road) are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20:8
Moses put it this way.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19
Man In The Mirror
January 4, 2010
The mirror doesn't lie. Like, "I need to get in shape," we conclude, or "I gotta' do something about my appearance?" Spiritually speaking, it's important to look in the mirror of God's word, and make the changes accordingly, with the Holy Sprit's help.
Whatever We Ask....
August 6, 2009
"Well done, good and faithful servant" will ring throughout the heavens someday as millions receive their reward. This much we know. Our own energy will have produced nothing worth rewarding. But in God's power? Now that's a different story.
With Books, New Is Not Always Better
July 27, 2009
If you buy into the concept of progress, then supposedly we are smarter than those who came before us. And if you believe that, I have some swamp land in Florida for sale....
Lumps Of Walking Clay
July 22, 2009
God "gets in the way" of our freedom. So we have hit the "delete" button. And if God is not mocked as He says He is not, then something has to give. Stay tuned.....
Of Whom This World Was Not Worthy
July 20, 2009
In Hebrews 11, the reader is overwhelmed with a heritage of the faithful. They are many and varied. And history testifies that this glorious train of believers is ongoing, and magnificent. It will take all of history to tell the full story.
What Would Moses Think?
June 4, 2009
In sports, debate rages as to whether some great team from a certain era could defeat a powerful team from another decade. What if we applied the same test to faith matters? How would this generation fare, when compared to the faithful of the past?
Oh My God, What Have We Done?
May 31, 2009
Poets often see things as they are before the "general public" - you and me. Their insight into faith matters needs to be considered, and perhaps on occasion could even serve as a wakeup call.
Emerging Vs. Arriving
May 28, 2009
Today, keeping your eyes on the prize is valued, yes. But the journey, the process of getting to the goal, is valued as much or more. What is going on here?
The Best And Worst Of Times
May 11, 2009
In the opening sentences of A TALE OF TWO CITIES, the reader is immediately thrust into the turmoil. For Madame Elizabeth of France, that turmoil meant death by guillotine. She was faithful to the end, and went magnificently.
Richard Dawkins, Meet Blaise Pascal
April 17, 2009
Paul tells us that the god of this world blinds the hearts of unbelievers. So their conclusions about eternal things further Satan's cause. Others, like Pascal, see with God-given perception, and truth is advanced, for those who have ears to listen.
You Gotta Have Faith
February 25, 2009
The world's idea of faith is in yourself. The Bible's idea of faith is in a personal God and what he has done in history, is doing now and will yet do. And without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Overheard From The Closet
January 28, 2009
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16
History In The Making
January 28, 2009
“Prayer is a grand cement, and lack of prayer is like withdrawing the force of gravitation from a mass of matter, and scattering it into so many separate atoms.” C. H. Spurgeon
Avoiding The Demas Syndrome
January 21, 2009
"Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me." 2 Timothy 4:10 If you make it into the Bible, this is not the way to be remembered. How can we live here in this present world, while never losing sight of the one to follow?
If The Lord Had Not Been On Our Side
January 20, 2009
Life is more fragile than we realize. Our very existence hangs by a thread. But unless God wants that thread to break for some reason, we are perfectly safe. And if it snaps by his will, he is ready to catch us. The saints of God are secure in Him.
Calling All Men Of Issachar
January 18, 2009
"Hope springs eternal." As humans we just naturally assume that "everything will be ok. It will all work out." Just how do we face the present in light of a God who is holy? And how do optimism and realism correctly co-exist in the heart of a Christian?
Fire!
January 16, 2009
Church history has known times when lukewarm believers catch fire and get redhot, and the lost are suddenly aware of their need for a Savior. Prayer is always the kindling God uses to fan into flame his smoldering Church.
Watchman, What Of The Night?
January 9, 2009
A newly installed president to "break in", an intense struggle in the Middle East, a worldwide economic meltdown, with America humbled and somber and anxious. What's going on?
Saintly Resolutions: GEORGE BOWEN
January 1, 2009
Who? It was said of him,"He was all soul, and you can't photograph the soul nor describe it as you know it to exist." Missionary, scholar, mystic, saint. Quite a resume. So what advice does he give us at the turning of a new year?
Saintly Resolutions: HENRY MARTYN
December 29, 2008
Shaped by the pastoring of Charles Simeon at Cambridge, Henry Martyn burned bright for God in India until his early death at age 31. From an entry in his journal on the first day of 1807, we get a wonderful glimpse of his heart for God.
What's In A Name?
December 28, 2008
Emmanuel means GOD WITH US. That's good, right? So just why are we so anxious? What gives? Fretting offends God, because it implies that he won't come through. How can trust shove doubt aside, and we become God trusters instead?
The Ultimate No-Brainer
November 24, 2008
I'll do it myself. Where does that come from, anyway? We're born with it. But seeing God as the One we turn to instead of "the arm of flesh" is the key to living life well. God is in control, so let Him lead. He's really good at it.
Do The Math
November 21, 2008
Ten lepers, all healed. One returned to give Jesus thanks. Ten percent. You don't suppose that ratio always holds true, do you? Yikes! How can we then foster hearts of gratitude?
Priming The Pump Of Gratitude
November 20, 2008
Who can proclaim he mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise? Psalm 106:2 The answer? No one. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.
Deep Waters
November 18, 2008
Our God is in the rescue business. He delivers, he saves. And not only that. The very trials we face are the testings we need to become strong, eventually producing eternal results
Faith And Real Life
November 16, 2008
"Keep a stiff upper lip," we're told. Buck up. Life is capable of throwing a withering sequence of blows at us, bringing even the strongest to their knees - literally. For if our hope is in God, our future is very bright, no matter how grim the present.
Making A Difference
November 13, 2008
We all want our lives to matter, to count for something. How can we be sure we are not throwing our life away? What will count for eternity? This much we know. Giving ourselves to Kingdom of God work is never wasted effort.
The Best Sermon of the Last 200 Years
November 11, 2008
What if someone preached a sermon so powerful that it launched Protestant missions, and initiated the modern mission movement? What in the world did William Carey say that had such an impact?
The Falling Leaf And God's Sovereignty
October 16, 2008
So just how much does God know beforehand? And just what is determined and orchestrated? Is He ever surprised?
Why God's Holiness Matters
October 15, 2008
When Isaiah had his vision of God, he was impacted by the purity of God. "Woe is me," he cried, because he knew he was a sinner standing before a holy God. That understanding is being tossed over the side in our day, and the loss is profound.
Faith - A Grace From God
October 12, 2008
Faith, hope and love are the three qualities that endure. But if our faith gets depleted, this three-legged stool suddenly is worthless.
Nothing Is Impossible With God
October 5, 2008
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:19
Who Needs Theology? We Do!
October 1, 2008
When did doctrine become a dirty word? It smacks of something fixed, and we love our freedom, even when it comes to who God is, and what He is up to. But we will rue the day that we force it to the back of the bus.
Comfort and the Plan of God
July 11, 2008
The kingdom of this world is becoming the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. But that battle is "no holds barred" - it's nasty, and believers can get caught up in some pretty uncomfortable moments in the process.
