Commenting on the situation leading to the beginning of the monarchy in ancient Israel, Wilhelm Krummacher makes a keen observation on the mindset of the nation. The nation, whose God was their King, took their eyes off their King and instead gazed at the surrounding nations and wanted what they had, a king like the … More Reading a German Scholar from 1867
There are times when our spiritual senses are so keen, so lambent and alive that our hearts can hardly be contained and tears drip down our cheeks as if a relief value had been opened to make it possible for us to survive the moment. Those times are rare. They are wonderful. And sometimes, they … More The Nearness of God, The Pain and the Sorrow and the Longing for More
Jesus knew His purpose. Nothing was going to divert Him from that purpose. He came to give His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45). And timing was everything. The gospel of John makes this perfectly clear. Seven different times we are told that “His time had not yet come” and then in … More The Hour Has Come
“We are always in the forge, or on the anvil; by trials, God is shaping us for higher things.” Lyman Beecher, (1775-1863) Beecher would know. His was a life steeped in controversy, some of it self-inflicted but all of it under the sovereign gaze of God. God is shaping you too, through the pains and sorrows … More Great Quotes to Make Us Think
Sunday Reflections Let’s Remember that We are ALL Sinners It won’t be popular. It won’t make you popular. It won’t make your life easy. It won’t make you assertive about your “rights.” It won’t chase your depression away with “happy thoughts.” But it will remind you of forgiveness. It will remind you of grace. It … More Let’s Remember that We are ALL Sinners
Tuesday is for Thinking I could elaborate on each of these and maybe I will some day but for now, this is suggestive of why all of us should read broadly if we want to make a difference for Christ and His Kingdom. I read because I am not smart and other people are. I … More Eight Reasons I Read as Much as I Do
Prompted by a friends question, I went to the bookshelf to retrieve one of my favorite books on prayer, Henri Nouwen’s The Way of the Heart. Five years ago, when my daughter was in college, she was assigned the book for a class and I gave her my copy to save some money. When the class was … More Finding New Treasures in Old Books and Surprising Teachers (Henri Nouwen and my Daughter)
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