In his book, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life, author Os Guinness takes an in-depth look at what it means to be called of God. I highly recommend the book. He defines the call of God as "the truth that God calls us to Himself so decisively that everything we … Continue reading The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life
Devotional Thoughts
Daddies with Daughters
My daughters frequently remind me that they think that I have control issues when it comes to their relationships with young men. It is probably true due to remembering well my own gorilla-like heart as a young man. Chuck Swindoll uses a great word-picture when giving away his own daughters in marriage. He compares it … Continue reading Daddies with Daughters
The God Who Undragons People
I hope you were able to watch the movie version of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader over the Christmas holidays. Among the many adventures of the Dawn Treader, there is one that powerfully sums up C.S. Lewis’ understanding of how one becomes a follower of Jesus and how the gospel transforms us. While on … Continue reading The God Who Undragons People
Trusting the Good Hands of a Providential Father
The Psalmist states, "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord" (Psalm 112:7). It is easy to submit to God's will when everything is going well... when you are walking on sunshine and feeling good. But when you find yourself walking in the shadows, it is then … Continue reading Trusting the Good Hands of a Providential Father
What if God eliminated suffering? – A Reflection for Good Friday
One question that skeptics and believers both ask frequently is: "if God is so loving, why does He allow suffering and evil?" The Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120-134) are written to facilitate the worship of God's pilgrim people on their journey up to Jerusalem. One notable feature of the journey of faith is oppression and … Continue reading What if God eliminated suffering? – A Reflection for Good Friday
Jesus Steps In When Hell Endeavors to Shake Us
I loved playing and watching basketball during high school. Now, refereeing basketball is a different story. When I was in ninth-grade, I went one Saturday morning to the gym to watch some friends playing in a church league. This day, the referee forgot to show up. Thus, I was asked to referee the game. But … Continue reading Jesus Steps In When Hell Endeavors to Shake Us
Lifelines for Spiritual Depression
Lifelines for those journeying through spiritual depression from Psalm 120: Martin Lloyd Jones in his book entitled Spiritual Depression sets forth a radical notion that has proven most helpful to me personally. He writes that "most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking … Continue reading Lifelines for Spiritual Depression
If he has work for me to do, I cannot die!
While in college, Henry Martyn was stirred by the missions interests of his pastor Charles Simeon of Holy Trinity Church as well as by reading the journals of David Brainerd, the Puritan missionary in North America. Henry was a "Senior Wrangler" at the prestigious Cambridge University. That meant he graduated first among the honor students … Continue reading If he has work for me to do, I cannot die!
A Man for Others in Loving Forgiveness
How are you doing in modeling the gospel with others? A man for others embodies the gospel by forgiving others the same way that God in Christ has forgiven you. (Philippians 2:2 - "Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.") Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let all … Continue reading A Man for Others in Loving Forgiveness
Loving Your Wife
"It is not having a wife, but loving a wife, that makes a man live chastely. He who loves his wife, whom Solomon calls his fountain, will not go abroad to drink of muddy, poisoned waters. Pure conjugal love is a gift of God, and comes from heaven; but like the vestal fire, it must … Continue reading Loving Your Wife
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