“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17
“Edwards challenges the idea that we can be true Christians apart from a growing life of private prayer. If we lack that, we may as well face up to the fact that we are hypocrites.” Today, a dear friend and prayer warrior pointed me to T. M. Moore’s, Give Him No Rest: Readings, Meditations, and … More When Private Prayer Condemns Us
Someone (unnamed) asked me this question in an online forum: “How did you get close to God again? I’m not sinning, like doing drugs or drinking or swearing, but I get mad easily and don’t feel that connection with God. I’m young and I just want my relationship with God back.” So if your passion … More A Passionless Christian Asked a Question.
Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Indisputable facts: When biological men are called women because they “identify as female” When biological women are called men because they “identify as male” When men … More Living Under a Prophetic “Woe”
This week I contemplated how to speak the gospel to my own baby boomer generation–all of them. A FaceBook world encourages grandiose thoughts like that. My thoughts ran along the lines of reminding all my fellow boomers that we aren’t getting any younger. Not one of us can add sand to the top of the … More It is Almost Over for Baby Boomers
This morning I woke early and retreated to the living room to have my devotions. Readings in the Psalms and the Gospel of Mark and then in a devotional that my wife gave me some years ago that I return to often. There, as morning began to rise, I find these words as a part … More The Opportunity of Temptation
Friday is for Heart Songs The more I study Bible the more I am learning to slow down. Sometimes, we just read too quickly to see the connections, the repetitions, the emphasis of what what we read. The opening line to Simon and Garfunkel’s “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” is good advice for … More Think Through Psalm 119 with Me
Shepherds of flocks will sometimes put small stones on the top of the stone enclosures for their sheep. The idea is that if a thief or threat to the flock (bear, hyena, lion, or wolf) climbs over the wall to harass the sheep, the tumbling stones will alert both sheep and shepherd that an intruder … More Tumbling Stones and the Art of Pastoral Care
Great quote I had to pass on: I’m not sure where I was reading. Can’t remember if it was a commentary or The Institutes or a biography, but I love this quote from John Calvin. It is reminder to my soul that there is always more to see than my first glance gives. There is … More Finding Glory in Mundane Places
“How deeply do you feel about the ministry the Lord has called you to? If the desperate needs of those people you [are seeking to] . . . reach have never caused you to weep, you may want to go back into your prayer closet.” The God Ask, by Steve ShadrachChapter 7 I wonder.How many … More How Deeply Do You Care?
