Our words count for eternity. One of the readers of what we write is the Lord Himself. And we will give an account someday.
Recent Entries
Making Sense Of It AllJanuary 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Suffering Saints
January 25, 2012
We get nervous thinking about it - suffering for the sake of Christ. How necessary is it, and what does it produce in us?
George Herbert on Prayer Meetings
January 21, 2012
Prayer Meetings are a thing of the past. Or so it seems. What has been lost? Maybe more than we realize.
When Fear Is Good
January 7, 2012
NO FEAR, we are told. And the point is well taken. But fear can be healthy, at least when it comes to eternal matters.
Happy, Happy, Happy
January 4, 2012
The declaration of independence holds up the pursuit of happiness as a right. Did you ever consider the reading the bible might be the one source that will never let you down?
The Twelve Signs Of Grace
December 22, 2011
Self-examination is not easy to do. The tendency is to let ourselves off easy. But examine we must, for eternity is at stake.
"Ouch!!"
July 22, 2011
Spiritual pride is hard to detect. Jonathan Edwards gives some tips. The process can be painful, but necessary.
A True Hymn
June 25, 2010
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Matthew 12:36
The internet, and blogging in particular, has made it possible for careless words to flourish, and foolishness to have a voice that previously was restricted to a neighbor within earshot - who probably nodded approvingly, while his or her body english screamed "let me out of here!"
Henry Vaughn, a fan of the poet George Herbert, saw to potential for words to tear down faith, or to enrich it. And he took his task very seriously.
"It is true indeed, that to give up our thoughts to pious themes and contemplations (if it be done for pieties sake) is a great step towards perfection; because it will refine, and dispose to devotion and sanctity."
"And further, it will procure for us (so easily communicable is that loving spirit) some small prelibation of those heavenly refreshments, which descend but seldom, and then very sparingly, upon men of an ordinary and indifferent holyness; but he that desires to excel in this kind of Hagiography, or holy writing, must strive (by all means) for perfection and true holyness, that a door may be opened to him in heaven (Revelation 4:1) and then he will be able to write (with Hierotheus and holy Herbert) a true hymn."
THE COMPLETE POETRY OF HENRY VAUGHN page 260
May the Lord help us all to strive in this manner. May pious themes and contemplations find a place in our thinking, in the end that the reader is disposed to devotion and sanctity.
