Prayer: O God, open the eyes of our hearts to see You for who you are today – the risen Savior who conquers all of our enemies. Renovate our unbelieving hearts so that they burn with devotion and love for our risen Savior and Lord. I don't know about you, but I still get chills … Continue reading Sad Hearts Sing – The Walk to Emmaus
Scripture Prayer
The Confessions of a Pastor
Holy Father, all of us serve at Your bidding as undershepherds of the Great Shepherd of the sheep – our Lord Jesus Christ. First of all, we ask Your forgiveness for the times that we have taken for granted the awesome privilege we have to serve as a divinely-appointed shepherd to watch over Your sheep. … Continue reading The Confessions of a Pastor
Thielicke, Barth, and Cyprian – On the Lord’s Prayer
In the closing months of WWII, Helmut Thielicke preached on the Lord’s Prayer. He spoke words that ring true for us today: “In these fearful, fateful weeks many people appear to have become alienated from their faith in God: They begin to ask how He can ‘permit’ such things to happen. It would be better, … Continue reading Thielicke, Barth, and Cyprian – On the Lord’s Prayer
Worshipping with Handicapped Hearts
Lord,free us from our handicapped hearts. May we worship You in such a way that our consciences are quickened by Your holiness. Our minds feed upon Your truth. Our imaginations are purged by Your beauty. Our hearts are opened to receive Your love. Our wills are devoted resolutely to Your purpose. Gather all of this … Continue reading Worshipping with Handicapped Hearts
In Times of Spiritual Dryness
All of us go through times of spiritual drought and dryness. When I was a college student, I encountered this for the first time and it concerned me greatly. I was helped by reading a little book called The Green Letters by Miles Stanford. The title has been changed now to Principles of Spiritual Growth. … Continue reading In Times of Spiritual Dryness
When You Are Misunderstood
It is the characteristic of our Adamic residue to find it difficult to believe in the nobility of others. Joseph's brothers measured Joseph by themselves. In our suspicions of other people we often reveal ourselves and our own hearts. There is scarcely anything more trying and searching in life than the experience of being misunderstood, … Continue reading When You Are Misunderstood
Praying to Our Rock of Refuge – Psalm 71
Psalm 71:3 - Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. O Lord, you are a rock of refuge to which we may continually come. May the guilty come and find release from the … Continue reading Praying to Our Rock of Refuge – Psalm 71
With what would you be satisfied?
Here’s a question I have asked myself on occasion while raising my children in terms of my desires, hopes and dreams for them. It comes from Susan Hunt in her book Your Home: A Place of Grace: “Would you be satisfied with children who are well behaved, who avoid drugs, who graduate from college, marry … Continue reading With what would you be satisfied?
9/11 and the Imprecatory Psalms: Two Opinions
Here's a list of the Lament Psalms known as Imprecatory (Psalm 7, 35, 52, 54, 55, 58, 59, 79, 83, 94, 129, 137, and 140). Claus Westermann claims that these imprecatory Psalms “have once and for all been taken away from Christ’s congregation.”[1] Some of them[2] appear rather bloodthirsty, pre-Christian and inappropriate for believers to … Continue reading 9/11 and the Imprecatory Psalms: Two Opinions
Consider and Avoid the Snares of Death this Easter
What’s it like to be caught in a death trap? To be tricked and ensnared by a supposed gift? Ammi Ortiz, the 16 year old son of a Messianic Jewish pastor, was seriously wounded by a basket delivered to his family’s doorsteps with a simple greeting “Happy Purim!” When he opened it, it blew up … Continue reading Consider and Avoid the Snares of Death this Easter
