Psalm 130:4 sets forth one of the greatest discoveries that we can ever make: “With you (the LORD) there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” According to John Stott, this verse “contains a beautiful balance because its first part brings assurance to the despairing, while its second part sounds a warning to the presumptuous.” How … Continue reading The Majesty of a Forgiving Father
Month: July 2016
The Power of a Joyful Pastor
Phillip Brooks, an Episcopalian rector in Boston over 100 years ago, and author of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" wrote this about how pastors are to serve Christ's church. His main thesis here can be extrapolated to any job: I think, again, that it is essential to the preacher's success that he should thoroughly enjoy his work. … Continue reading The Power of a Joyful Pastor
Facing Our Long Battle with Terrorism
This morning I was reading again a journal article by James I. Packer entitled "Wisdom in a Time of War: What Oswald Chambers and C.S. Lewis Teach Us about Living Through The Long Battle with Terrorism." He wrote this for the January 2, 2002 edition of the periodical Christianity Today. One of the first points he makes … Continue reading Facing Our Long Battle with Terrorism
When Weakness Appeals to Strength
A dear friend of mine, who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: Rising early one morning, he said, I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making … Continue reading When Weakness Appeals to Strength
The Beautiful Shepherd Psalm
'I shall not want' is the theme of Ps. 23. I shall not lack for: rest and refreshment (v. 2), restoration and righteousness (v. 3), protection in trouble (v.4), provision in the wilderness (v. 5), and a home to go to at the end of the days (v. 6). More is implied than is expressed, … Continue reading The Beautiful Shepherd Psalm
Dealing with Temptation
Thomas Brooks, a Puritan pastor, counsels believers to confront all temptations (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the boastful pride of life) with the words of the Psalmist: “The LORD is my portion” (16:5; 73:26; 119:57; 142:5). He exhorts: Luther counsels every Christian to answer all temptations with the short … Continue reading Dealing with Temptation
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