A few nights ago, I desperately needed sleep and the Spirit of God denied it to me. I guess I didn’t need it as much as I thought. Part of it was I was thinking about the long drive to a conference in Colorado. Part of it was a little tune and the words to … More Songs in the Night
Psalm 92 will be the text for this next week’s message at my home church. I’m not preaching. But it is my custom to try to read ahead and today, I was struck by the superscription. “A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day.” “A Psalm, a Song” —that phrase appears two other times in … More Twelve Things to Do on Your Sabbath (from Psalm 92)
I love books. Over the last four years, I have culled and sold or given away about 2,000 books from my personal library. And yet, over 4,200 books remain on the shelves. In the corner, near a favorite chair is a collection of books with a particular character. There are three Bibles in various translations, … More Finding Surprises that Rock the Soul
John Piper is a hero not because he is always right, or without flaw but because he, in his redeemed heart, is one of the most passionate hearts I know of running hard after God. I want to be passionate about pursuing God. Even in my present sickness and low energy due to many travels, … More Spiritual Blindness is not Just a Non-Believing Problem
Have you ever had an interaction with someone who gave you the creeps? I know you have. We all have. Some people easily set off our “phony” radar. We seem to be able to detect their fake motives and disingenuous character. Something in the way they look, or the look of their eye, or the … More There is No Hypocrisy Like Religious Hypocrisy
Chuck Colson reflecting on what his time in prison for his part in the Watergate cover-up had taught him “No, the real legacy of my life was my biggest failure–that I was an ex-convict. My greatest humiliation–being sent to prison–was the beginning of God’s greatest use of my life; He chose the one experience in … More Humiliation and Power in Life
This morning I was reading my copy of Pilgrim’s Progress and ran across a principle that I have seen in operation too much of late. “Christian” leaves a place of rest to continue on his journey to the celestial city. He descends a hill and in the valley below meets Apollyon (Satan) rising to do … More Pilgrims Progress and the Fear to Stand
There are endless fascinations to be found in Psalm 119. It is an acrostic psalm. It is the longest psalm. Nearly every verse mentions the word of God. Study the word “affliction” some time. After that you might try looking at the word “meditate” (see also “desire”, “delight” and other words associated with cherishing the … More The Six “I am” Statements of Psalm 119
God is greater than our hearts. Is this not a great comfort? Our hearts are deceitful things. Jeremiah said it well, “The heart is more deceitful than all elseAnd is desperately sick;Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9) Our hearts affirm us and condemn us.Our hearts rule us and destroy us with passions.Our hearts … More God is Greater Than Our Hearts
“If then you have been raised up with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:1-2), RSV) The beauty and the wonder of hot weather has arrived. My garden … More The Dangerous Beauty of Summer
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